No. of Plaint – 690

Summons; Invoice for £24.2.11; Judgment Confessed

• Clark is summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of £25.9.7. The amount is due for numerous goods sold to the Defendant by the Plaintiff.

No of Plaint – 695

Summons; Invoice for £20.2

• Kennedy is summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of £22.17.10. The amount is due for a gold watch and chain and one pair of spectacles sold to the Defendant by the Plaintiff.

No. of Plaint – 695

Summons; Invoice for £9.7.6

• Little is summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of £11.10.4. The amount is due for labor and laundry provided by the Plaintiff for the Defendant.

No. of Plaint – 681

Summons; Invoice for £30.14

• Marmiesse and Delafont are summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of £33.9.10. The amount is due for various wines, brandies and spirits sold to the Defendants by the Plaintiff.

No. of Plaint – 699

Summons; Invoice for £3.18.11

• Doggetts is summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of £4.4.5. The amount is due for goods sold to the Defendant by the Plaintiff.

No. of Plaint – 698

Summons; Invoice for £0.14.3

• Glagow is summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of £0.15.11. The amount is due for various meat products sold to the Defendant by the Plaintiff.

No. of Plaint – 732

Summons; Judgment Confessed

• Robinson is summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of £9.8.9.

No. of Plaint – 856

Summons; Invoice for £26.10.1; Bill of Costs for £3.5.0; Judgment Confessed

• Golding is summoned to appear in court to answer the Plaintiff for the total amount of £29.5.11. The amount is due various goods sold to the Defendant by the Plaintiffs.

In response to a growing number of petty claims in Victoria in the newly established colony of Vancouver‟s Island, Governor James Douglas established the Inferior Court of Civil Justice (later changed to the Supreme Court of Civil Justice in 1860) in 1857.
This series is composed of one-hundred and sixty-eight case files comprised of three hundred and eighty-three documents pertaining to small claims suits in Victoria between 1858 and 1866.

Indictment of Quamish; murder of Charley; 1865/02/01
Indictment of Quamish; murder of Jim; 1865/02/02
Recognisance of bail; signed by A. Pemberton; 1865/02/03
Deposition of Horace Coffin; 1865/02/04
Affidavit of W.H. Franklyn; Nanaimo magistrate; 1865/02/05
Information & complaint; Francis Harmetomel describing murder of crew of Schooner
Thorndyke; 1865/02/06
Information & complaint; Horace Coffin, master of schooner; 1865/02/07
Deposition of Tom; a Comox Indian; 1865/02/08
Deposition of Deerskin; native; 1865/02/09

Indictment for perjury; perjury at an inquest; verdict guilty; sentence 6 mos.; 1866/02/01
Information & complaint; by Philip Hankin; 1866/02/02
Recognisance of bail; to Philip Hankin & Thomas Wilson as witnesses; 1866/02/03
Deposition of Philip Hankin; 1866/02/04
Deposition of Thos. Wilson; 1866/02/04

Instruction to sheriff; to deliver juries; signed by Joseph Needham; V.I. seal; 1866/08/01
Assize court jury; list of 35 individuals called for assize & gaol delivery; 1866/08/02 Grand jury; list of 23 individuals called for grand jury; 1866/08/03

Indictment of Dick; verdict guilty; sentence 3 years; 1866/14/01
Information & complaint; of William Biggs; 1866/14/02
Deposition of Cecilia; a Nanaimo Klootchman; 1866/14/03

Indictment of Jack; charge of murder reduced to perjury; 1868/04/01
Information & complaint; of Klequamisht, through interpreter; 1868/04/02
Deposition of Dr.John Davie; re post mortem; 1868/04/03
Deposition of Bob; an Indian, through interpreter; 1868/04/04
Deposition of Silkanen; an Indian, through interpreter; 1868/04/05
Deposition of T. Kennedy; 1868/04/06

Indictment of Billy; verdict guilty, sentence 1 year (apparently coincided with murder charge- which see); 1871/05/01

Indictment of Harry; plea guilty; sentence 1 year; 1871/09/01
Charge; by Wm Morley, J.P., Cowichan; 1871/09/02
Recognisance of bail (2); 1871/09/03
Information & complaint; of Sur-sar-kalur, a Chemainus Indian; 1871/09/04
Examination; of Sur-sar-kalur; 1871/09/04
Examination of Se-hap-ton; 1871/09/05
Deposition of Harry; the accused; 1871/09/06

Indictment, Ah Yen,Ah Toy; verdict guilty; sentence 3 years; Victoria; 1872/02/01
Information & complaint; of Wm. Bowden; 1872/02/02
Deposition of John Ward; 1872/02/03
Deposition of Wm. Bowden; with m/s drawing of site of incident; 1872/02/04
Deposition of John Turner; 1872/02/05
Deposition of David Rappitt; 1872/02/06
Depsoition of Ah Toe; 1872/02/06

Indictment of Jimmy; stealing a pair of trousers & suspenders; verdict guilty; sentence 9 months hard labor; 1872/03/01

Indictment of Portlett and Macmooy-sock-me; with Macmooy-sock-me for murder of
No-look-a-me. True Bill by Robert Dunsmuir, Nanaimo. Verdict not guilty; Nanaimo;
1875/01/01
Deposition of Charley; an Indian, interpreted; 1875/01/01
Deposition of Macmooy; an Indian, interpreted; 1875/01/02
Deposition of Sal-la-coot-sa; an Indian, interpreted; 1875/01/03

Indictment for murder; verdict not guilty of early Burrard Inlet crime; 1875/02/01

Commitment of Ah Bow; to trial at New Westminster assize; 1875/05/01
Recognisances; to prosecute and give evidence; 1875/05/02
Deposition of Ellard; re theft of meerschaum pipes and knives; 1875/05/03
Deposition of Jackson; 1875/05/04
Statement of Ah Bow; all statements witnessed by Arthur Bushby, James Douglas‟ sonin-
law; 1875/05/05

Statement of claim; by Wah Fung; 1877/01/01

Recognisance to give evidence; Ah Yeng testimony in trial of Lee Fook for assault of Chin Jay; 1879/01/01
Recognisance to give evidence; Ah Tuong; 1879/01/02

Deposition of Sheepham; alias Jack; 1879/02/01
Deposition of Quokin; alias Ben; 1879/02/02

Deposition of Chul-kil-kita; a Queen Charlotte Indian; 1881/01/01

Indictment of Charley; Yale assizes; 1883/04/01
Warrant of commitment; 1883/04/02
Information & complaint; by Indian Jimmy; 1883/04/03

Surrender of citizenship; by Jim Fook; Chinese script endorsed; 1885/01/01

Indictment of Ah Yan; Assault on a minor, verdict guilty; sentence 5 years; 1866/13/01

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [Coat of arms Al R. PROCLAMATION. NO. 1, A.D. 1862. BY HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES DOUGLAS, COMPANION OF THE MOST HONORABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE SAME, &C., &C. ... {L.S.} ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE SAID COLONY, AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, THIS 26TH DAY OF JULY, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO, AND IN THE TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND. WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

British Columbia Roads Loan Act, 1862.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [Coat of arms A] R. PROCLAMATION. NO.4, A.D. 1862. BY HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES DOUGLAS, COMPANION OF THE MOST HONORABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE SAME, &C., &C. ... {L.S.} ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE SAID COLONY, AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, THIS 13TH DAY OF AUGUST, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO, AND IN THE TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND, WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

The Lytton-Alexandria Road Toll Act.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [Coat of arms A] R. PROCLAMATION. NO. 6, A.D. 1862. BY HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES DOUGLAS, COMPANION OF THE MOST HONORABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE SAME, &C., &C. ... {L.S.} ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE SAID COLONY, AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, THIS 22TH DAY OF AUGUST, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO, AND IN THE TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND, WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Sunday Observance Act, 1862.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [Coat of arms A] R. DITCHES. RULES AND REGULATIONS UNDER “THE GOLD FIELDS’ ACT, 1859.” ... {L.S.} ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE SAID COLONY, AT LILLOOET, THIS 29TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY-TWO, AND IN THE TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND, WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

V. [Coat of arms Al R. AN ACT TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR VICTORIA TOWN DISTRICT, AND TO ALTER THE LIMITS OF THE SAID DISTRICT. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THIS, 12TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D., 1862. JAMES DOUGLAS, GOVERNOR.

V. [Coat of arms A] R. AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE GOVERNOR OF VANCOUVER ISLAND AND ITS DEPENDENCIES TO ERECT A POWDER MAGAZINE FOR THE CUSTODY OF GUNPOWDER, AND TO REGULATE THE SALE, STORAGE, AND KEEPING OF GUNPOWDER RECEIVED MY ASSENT THIS 12TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1862. JAMES DOUGLAS, GOVERNOR.

Gunpowder Act 1862.

V. [Coat of arms A] R. AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A DECIMAL SYSTEM OF ACCOUNTS IN THE COLONY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THIS, 12TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D., 1862. JAMES DOUGLAS, GOVERNOR.

Currency Act 1862.

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SCALE OF FEES CHARGED FOR THE ENTRANCE AND CLEARANCE OF VESSELS, LICENSES TO SCOWS, BOATS AND OTHER CRAFT, AND DUES FOR LANDING PERMITS, AS WELL AS OTHER MATTERS, RELATING TO THE SAME, IN THE PORT OF VICTORIA, INCLUDING ESQUIMALT. ... THIS ACT MAY BE CITED AS THE VICTORIA AND ESQUIMALT HARBOR DUES ACT, 1862.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [Coat of arms A] R. PROCLAMATION. NO. 1, A.D. 1863. BY HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES DOUGLAS, COMPANION OF THE MOST HONORABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE SAME, &C., &C. … {L.S.} ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE SAID COLONY, AT VICTORIA, THE THIRTEENTH DAY OF JANUARY, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE, AND IN THE TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND, WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Road Bonds Act.

[Coat of arms A] AN ACT FOR CONSOLIDATING IN ONE ACT CERTAIN PROVISIONS USUALLY INSERTED IN ACTS AUTHORIZING THE MAKING OF RAILWAYS. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THE TWENTY-FIFTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, A.D. 1863. JAMES DOUGLAS, GOVERNOR.

Vancouver Island Railway Clause Consolidation Act, 1863.

AN ACT FOR CONSOLIDATING IN ONE ACT CERTAIN PROVISIONS USUALLY INSERTED IN ACTS AUTHORIZING THE TAKING OF LANDS FOR UNDERTAKINGS OF A PUBLIC NATURE. ... THIS ACT MAY BE CITED AS THE “VANCOUVER ISLAND LAND CLAUSES CONSOLIDATION ACT, 1863.”

Draft of Vancouver Island Land Clauses Consolidation Act, 1863.

[Coat of arms A] AN ACT TO DECLARE THE FEES, LICENSES AND DUES, PAYABLE FOR THE ENTRANCE AND CLEARANCE OF VESSELS, AND FOR PERMITS FOR LANDING GOODS, AND FOR LICENSES TO SCOWS, BOATS AND OTHER SMALL CRAFT IN THE PORTS OF ENTRY IN VANCOUVER ISLAND OTHER THAN VICTORIA AND ESQUIMALT. .... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THE TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY OF FEBRUARY, A.D., 1863. JAMES DOUGLAS, GOVERNOR.

Ports of Entry Act.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [Coat of arms A] R. PROCLAMATION. NO. 7, A.D. 1863. BY HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES DOUGLAS, COMPANION OF THE MOST HONORABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ITS DEPENDENCIES, VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE SAME, &C., &C. ... {L.S.} ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE SAID COLONY, AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, THE TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF MAY, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY-THREE, AND IN THE TWENTY-SIXTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND, WILLIAM. A.G. YOUNG. COLONIAL SECRETARY. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Mining District Act.