The fonds consists of legal documents collected by John Keenlyside over the last thirty five years. The documents give insight into the formation of British Columbia's legal system when it consisted of two colonies. The legal records (including writs, testimony, judgements, and other court documents) were produced by judges, magistrates, defendants, claimants, and other relevant parties. Some figures of historical significance who created legal records in this fonds are the first judge in BC, the first Attorney General, and BC's earliest clergy, businessmen, and other prominent figures from the colonial period.

This fonds also consists of documents related to the British Columbia Provincial Police force and various Japanese-Canadian and civil rights groups.

File contains: Writ of Summons; Motion of Defendant; Affidavit of Defendant. Begin was arrested and held to bail in the above titled cause as a result of an Affidavit of Mr. W. Atkinson which stated that he believed that the Defendant was about to quit the colony. Begin denies all such allegations and the Defendant asks that he be discharged from arrest in this cause.

File contains: Answer to Complaint. Harris takes defense to the action of C. Kerr and denies that he is indebted to the Plaintiff for $4,050. He further states that the said cattle in the argument mentioned, the subject matter, was falsely and fraudulently represented to him at the time of the said pretended sale and were almost valueless for any reason, and the Defendant claims that he has been damaged to the amount of 500 pounds sterling by the Plaintiff.

File contains: Bail Bond. Case is regarding an unsettled debt of 350 pounds between the parties and consists of 7 documents.

File contains: Affidavit of J.D. Potter; Deposition of H.B. Morse; Notice of Trial; and Abstract. Plaintiffs are suing for 1,000 pounds from the Defendants on the amount of damage sustained by the Plaintiffs by reason of the Defendants unlawfully, with force and arms, breaking into and entering the home of the Plaintiffs.

File contains: Answers; Petition to Take Testimony. The defendant signed a contract from which it appeared that he had agreed to purchase lots #600 and #601 for an amount of money. The two parties became involved in a dispute over the actual amount.

File contains: (2) Order; Affidavit of G.J. Wright; and Abstract. The case matter is unclear.

File contains: Affidavit of H.P. Crease; Stipulation and Deposition; Affidavit for Continuance; and Stipulation to Take Testimony. Settlement of legal issues. Case matter is unclear.

File contains: Bill of Complaint. The defendant is indebted to the Plaintiffs in the sum of $102.38 advanced to the Defendant at his request. Document is quite stained and damaged.

File contains: Affidavit of M.W. Drake; Order of Court for Writ of Injunction. Both the Plaintiff and the Defendant are out of the jurisdiction of the court and the statements outlined in the Bill of Complaint have not been verified by any Affidavit of the Plaintiff, nor does it state in the said bill that the Defendant is liable for any debt.

File contains: (2) Writ of Caprias. Notice to the Sheriff to apprehend the Defendant and take him into custody and hold him to bail.

File contains: Order; Order of Judge to Ascertain Damages; (2) bill of Costs of the Plaintiff; Certificate of No Defense filed; Summons; Affidavit of Drake; Registrars Certificate of Amount for Final Judgment; and Affidavit of Service. The Plaintiffs complain that the Defendants are indebted to them for 1280 pounds, 13 shillings and 8 pence for money payable by the Defendants converted to their own use and wrongfully deprived the Plaintiff of the use and possession of one of the Plaintiffs' goods, being 301 casks of flour, 50 sacks of barley, and 10 cases of sherry.

File contains: Order of Court. Order that the Plaintiff be at liberty to hold the Defendant to bail for 176 pounds, 11 shillings and 3 pence.

File contains: Pleas. Defendant pleads that he is not guilty as alleged.

File contains: Affidavit of F. Despard; Summons; Order; and (22) Affidavit of Defendant Miller. Miller was arrested under the Writ of Caprias issued in this action. The Defendant offered and produced a Bill of Sale of all the effects of himself and his partner but the Defendant refuses to accept and sign the document.

File contains: Writ of Summons; Appearance. The Defendant is indebted to the Plaintiffs fur 73 pounds, one shilling one pence for money owed on an overdue promissory note.

File contains: Judgment; Bill of Costs; Affidavit of No Appearance; Writ of Summons; and Affidavit of Service. The Plaintiffs claim $2,335.91 for debt and $25 for costs on an unpaid account for goods sold and delivered.

File contains: Affidavit of W. Hamley; Deposition of E. Hall; and a Writ. Case is regarding the transport and payment and duty on certain spirits that were going up North to be traded with the Indians.

File contains: Articles of Agreement; Draft; Testimony of J. Ehrenbecker; Affidavit of W.M. Drake; Order to Sue; (2) Affidavit of E. Myers; Order; Summons; Agreement; Record; and Rejoinder. This action is brought to recover the sum of 500 pounds as damages for an alleged trespass committed by the above named Defendants. The Plaintiff was saloon keeper of "Myers Melodeon" on Yates Street in Victoria. The Defendants created a great disturbance there, removed the goods and chattels of the Plaintiff for their own use, and assaulted and beat the Plaintiff and expelled him and his family from the premises.

File contains: Summons; Record; Affidavit of Defendant for substitution of Attorney; Summons for Particulars of Plaintiff's demand; and Summons to Change Attorney. The Plaintiffs, at the request of the Defendants, were to manufacture and make for the Defendant certain machinery goods (hammer, plates, bolts, screws and nuts) which the Defendant would then pay for when they were complete. When they were finished and delivered, the Defendants refused to pay them for their labours and the Plaintiff claims 100 pounds on unpaid against stated between themselves and the Defendant.

File contains: Order for Caprias; Affidavit of J.M. Wark; Affidavit of M.W. Drake. The Defendant is indebted to the Plaintiffs for $131.51 for goods sold and delivered by the Plaintiffs to the Defendant at his request. Plaintiffs are concerned that the Defendant is about to leave the colony and asks that he be apprehended.

File contains: Order of Chief Justice; Affidavit of R. Woods; and Petition of R. Woods. Case egarding the registration of section five, Victoria District, purchase by R. Woods.

File contains: Order. Jane Richards had been deserted by her husband and has had to pay his debts and mortgage in his absence. He went away without leaving her any means of support just three months after they were married. The judge orders that she be protected in her earnings and her property from her husband and the people that he is indebted to.

File contains: Judgment by Default for Want of Plea; Bill of Costs; and Affidavit of Service of Declaration and a copy of the Declaration. The Plaintiffs sue for money payable by the Defendants to the Plaintiff for goods bargained and sold to the Defendants at their request and on unpaid accounts between them. Plaintiffs claim $2,000.

File contains: Affidavit of N. Jacobs with Writ Annexed; Bill of Costs; and Judgment for Non-Appearance. Case regarding city lot #213 on Humboldt Street in Victoria to which the Plaintiffs claim sale ownership.

File contains: Bill of Complaint; Statement of Accounts; Answer of Defendant; and Affidavit of Innes. The Plaintiff had given a general power of attorney to the Defendant for the management of his business during the Plaintiff's absence from the colony. The Defendant received various sums of rent and debts collected on behalf of the Plaintiff and also purchased a parcel of lane on the Plaintiff's behalf The Plaintiff asks that a statement of accounts be taken and the Defendant shall pay the balance due to the Plaintiff which he refuses to do, denying his involvement.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [coat of arms A] R. PROCLAMATION. BY HIS EXCELLENCY, JAMES DOUGLAS, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF HER MAJESTY’S COLONY OF VANCOUVER’S ISLAND AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. ... GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER’S ISLAND, THE THIRD DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1858, IN THE TWENTY SECOND YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Revokes the Crown Grant, 1838, to HBC for exclusive trading with the Indians, insofar as the said Grant embraces or extends to the Territories comprised in the Colony af British Columbia. This Proclamation was read after Douglas had been sworn in as Governor of British Columbia on November 19th.

[Royal coat of arms A] A BILL FOR THE PASSAGE OF AN ACT RESPECTING THE PROPERTY OF RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS IN THE COLONY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. PASSED THE COUNCIL ON ITS RETURN FROM THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1859. E. CRIDGE, HON. SEC’Y.

[Royal coat of arms A] RULES AND REGULATIONS/ FOR THE! WORKING OF GOLD MINES. [thin double rule] ISSUED IN CONFORMITY WITH THE GOLD FIELDS ACT, 1859.[thin double rule] ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE COLONY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, THIS SEVENTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE, AND IN THE TWENTY THIRD YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS, [L.S.] BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY, WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG, ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

[Coat of arms A] VANCOUVER ISLAND COLONY. AN ACT TO REMOVE DOUBTS AS TO THE INTEREST OF MONEY IN THE COLONY OF VANCOUVER ISLAND, AND ITS DEPENDENCIES. PASSED THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, OCTOBER 29, 1859. JOSEPH PORTER, CLERK OF THE HOUSE.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [Coat of arms A] R. PROCLAMATION. BY HIS EXCELLENCY, JAMES DOUGLAS, COMPANION OF THE MOST HONORABLE ORDER OF THE BATH, GOVERNOR AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, VICE-ADMIRAL OF THE SAME, &C., &C. ... 10. THIS ACT MAY BE CITED FOR ALL PURPOSES, AS THE “BRITISH COLUMBIA SMALL DEBTS ACT, 1859.” ... ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE SAID COLONY, AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, THIS TENTH DAY OF DECEMBER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY-NINE, AND THE TWENTY-THIRD YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS, [L.S.] BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY, WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG, ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE WORKING OF GOLD MINES. [thin double rule] ISSUED IN CONFORMITY WITH THE GOLD FIELDS ACT, 1859. [same rule] ... {L.S.} ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE COLONY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, THIS SIXTH DAY OF JANUARY, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY, AND IN THE TWENTY-THIRD YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND, WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG, ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. V. [Royal coat of arms A] R. PROCLAMATION. 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. ... ISSUED UNDER THE PUBLIC SEAL OF THE SAID COLONY, AT VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND, THIS TWENTIETH DAY OF AUGUST, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY, IN THE TWENTY-FOURTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS [L.S.] BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND. WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG, ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY. ... [schedule of goods and duties]GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

The Customs Amendment Act, uniform printing with other coat of arms A types.

[Royal coat of arms, small} AN ACT FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MEMBERS OF FIRE COMPANIES OF VICTORIA. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT, 28TH AUGUST, 1860. JAMES DOUGLAS, GOVERNOR.

Fireman’s Protection Act.

[Royal coat of arms, small] AN ACT FOR BETTER PROHIBITING THE SALE OR GIFT OF INTOXICATING LIQUORS TO THE INDIANS. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT, 2nd NOVEMBER, 1860. JAMES DOUGLAS, GOVERNOR.

Repeals the 1854 Act of Council and sets forth new definitions and fines. Indian Liquor Act.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. [Royal coat of arms A] PROCLAMATION. NO.5, A.D. 1861. 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 TENTH DAY OF MAY, ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY ONE, AND IN THE TWENTY-FOURTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND, WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG, GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Roman Catholic Land Act.

[coat of arms — wide] VANCOUVER ISLAND COLONY. AN ACT TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE REGISTRATION OF VOTERS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES RELATING THERETO. ... PASSED THE ROUSE OF ASSEMBLY, OCT. 7TH 1859, JOSEPH PORTER, CLERK OF THE ROUSE.

BRITISH COLUMBIA. [royal seal Bi] PROCLAMATION. 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 TWENTY SECOND DAY OF DECEMBER, IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED AND SIXTY, AND IN THE TWENTY-FOURTH YEAR OF HER MAJESTY’S REIGN, BY ME, JAMES DOUGLAS. BY HIS EXCELLENCY’S COMMAND. WILLIAM A.G. YOUNG, ACTING COLONIAL SECRETARY GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

Southern Boundary Act, 1860.

(Small coat of arms] AN ACT TO ENABLE ALIENS TO HOLD AND TRANSMIT REAL ESTATE. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THE 28TH DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 1861. JAMES DOUGLAS.

[Small coat of arms] AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CONTINUATION OF CERTAIN STREETS IN VICTORIA, VANCOUVER ISLAND. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THE 20m DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. JAMES DOUGLAS.

Supplementary Street Act 1861.

[Coat of arms A] AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE NATURALIZATION OF ALIENS. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THIS 14TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 1861. JAMES DOUGLAS.

V. (larger than above] [Coat of arms A] R. AN ACT TO FACILITATE THE REMEDIES ON BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES BY THE PREVENTION OF FRIVOLOUS OR FICTITIOUS DEFENCES TO ACTIONS THEREON RECEIVED MY ASSENT THIS 28TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 1861. JAMES DOUGLAS.

Summary Procedure on Bills of Exchange Act 1861.

V. [large] [Coat of arms A] R. AN ACT FOR PREVENTING FRAUDS UPON CREDITORS BY SECRET BILLS OF SALE OF PERSONAL CHATTELS. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THIS 28TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 1861. JAMES DOUGLAS.

Bills of Sale Act, 1861.

V. [Coat of arms Al R. AN ACT TO AMEND THE TRADES LICENCES ACT, 1860. ... RECEIVED MY ASSENT THIS 24TH DAY OF DECEMBER, A.D. 1861. JAMES DOUGLAS.

Trades Licences Amendment Act, 1861.

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.