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.

Commitment; sexual assault of a child; Victoria, V.I.; 1862/01/01

Commitment for trial; Gohome, an Indian for suspicion of involvement in murder of Hullumkene, signed by A. Pemberton; 1862/02/01

-Commitment for trial; suspicion of involvement in murder of Hullumkene, signed by A. Pemberton; 1862/03/01

Indictment for murder; verdict not guilty; Victoria; 1863/01/01
Information & complaint; of Fred. Turner re killing of Sooke Chief Longman;
1863/01/02
Examination of F. Turner; 1863/01/03
Deposition of Wallatt; a Saanich Indian woman, interpreted; 1863/01/04
Deposition of Ilcheel; a Saanich Indian, interpreted; 1863/01/05
Deposition of An hoolowit; an Indian woman, interpreted; 1863/01/06
Affidavit of Peter O‟Reilly; stipendiary magistrate; 1863/01/07

Commitment of Kaisue; alias Thalaston, suspicion of shooting with intent, signed by A. Pemberton; 1863/02/01

Commitment of Stalehum; charges with shooting to kill John Hendry and Bill Brady near Salt Spring Island, signed by A. Pemberton; 1863/02/01

Petition; signed by 24 inhabitants requesting commutation of sentence given Indian Scottie for assault; 1863/03/01

Assize court calendar; Dick charged with shooting & killing; Carey arson, signed by Philip Hankin; 1865/01/01

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 of Jim, an Indian & Nequalia, an Indian woman; the murder of Edmund Urin;
verdict not guilty; 1866/01/01
Commitment of Jim for murder; signed by A. Pemberton; 1866/01/02
Commitment of Nequalia for accessory to murder; signed by A. Pemberton; 1866/01/03
Recognisance of bail to witnesses; 1866/01/04
Deposition of Patrick Ferrall; 1866/01/05
Information & complaint of Patrick Ferrall; 1866/01/06
Deposition of Tom; a New Westminster Indian; 1866/01/07
Deposition of Allen Francis; 1866/01/08
Deposition of Dr. J.C. Davie; 1866/01/09
Deposition of A. Browning; 1866/01/10
Deposition of J. Wooster; 1866/01/11
Deposition of T. O‟Connor; 1866/01/12
Deposition of Stemloh; a New Westminster Indian; 1866/01/13
Deposition of J. McCarthy; 1866/01/14
Deposition of Peter; a New Westminster Indian; 1866/01/15
Deposition of Sapple Jack; a New Westminster Indian; 1866/01/16
Deposition of Jim, alias Quay-much-than; a Songhish Indian; 1866/01/17
Deposition of Jim; the accused; 1866/01/18
Affidavit of A. Pemberton; stipendiary magistrate, Victoria; 1866/01/19
Deposition of Tim, recalled; 1866/01/20
Information & complaint; of Patrick Ferrall; 1866/01/21

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

Indictment for larceny; verdict guilty; sentence 6 mos.; 1866/03/01
Recognisance of bail; 1866/03/02
Information & complaint; of Harry Wilmer; 1866/03/03
Depositions of H. Wilmer; 1866/03/04
Deposition of Columb; 1866/03/05
Deposition of Ah Choo; 1866/03/06
Deposition of Marks; 1866/03/07
Deposition of Ah Keow; the accused; 1866/03/08

Indictment for wounding; complaint ignored by Grand Jury, Kamloops; 1866/04/01
Information & complaint; of Harry Wilmer; 1866/04/02
Deposition of Joseph Dennis; 1866/04/03
Deposition of A. McCarthy; 1866/04/04
Deposition of George; a Fort Yale Indian; 1866/04/05
Information & complaint; of Harry Wilmer; 1866/04/06
Affidavit of A. Pemberton; 1866/04/07
Deposition of Jimmy; a Thompson River Indian; 1866/04/08
Deposition of Jimmy (2nd); 1866/04/09
Deposition of Sing Lee; 1866/04/10
Charge to Jimmy; 1866/04/11
Deposition of Dr. J. Trimble; 1866/04/12

Commission; authorizing Judge Joseph Needham; countersigned by A Kennedy, Gov. & W.A.G. Young, col. sec. of V.I. seal affixed; 1866/05/01

Assize court calendar; Jim, a New Westminster Indian charged with willful murder & Nequalia as an accessory to murder; 1866/06/01

Assize court calendar; Ah You charged with rape and Timothy with perjury, signed by Philip Hankin; 1866/07/01

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

Assize court calendar; 8 individuals accused; murder, assault, larceny, etc. with notations; 1866/09/01

Assize court calendar; grand jury indictments of 7 accused; Dick sentenced to death and Jim acquitted of murder; 1866/10/01

Indictment of Long Pang; Verdict guilty; sentence one year; 1866/11/01
Recognisance of bail; 1866/11/02
Information & complaint; Of Mow-Yat; 1866/11/03
Deposition of H. Courtenay; 1866/11/04
Deposition of R.Woods; 1866/11/05
Deposition of W. Green; 1866/11/06
Affidavit of A. Pemberton; 1866/11/07

Indictment of Kim Foo et al; Verdict not guilty; 1866/12/01
Recognisance of bail; 1866/12/02
Affidavit of A. Pemberton; 1866/12/03
Information & complaint; Of A. Taylor; 1866/12/04
Affidavit of J. Pemberton; 1866/12/05
Deposition of Harry Wilmer; 1866/12/06
Information & complaint; of Harry Wilmer; 1866/12/07
Statement of evidence; of A. Taylor; 1866/12/08
Affidavit of A. Pemberton; 1866/12/09

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

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

Information & complaint; of Rosalie Gonieau re rape of 5 yr old daughter Mary;
1866/15/01
Recognisance of bail; 1866/15/02
Deposition of Mary; all depositions witnessed by A. Pemberton; 1866/15/03
Deposition of Charley; 1866/15/04
Deposition of M. Gonieau; 1866/15/05
Deposition of J. McCarthy; 1866/15/06
Deposition of Dr J Davie Sr.; 1866/15/07
Deposition of Dr J Davie Jr.; 1866/15/08

-Indictment of Dick; verdict guilty; sentence death; recommend mercy; 1866/16/01
-Deposition of Tom; Comox Indian policeman; 1866/16/02
-Deposition of W.H.Franklyn; 1866/16/03
-Deposition of Dick; the accused; 1866/16/04

Indictment of Sealhampton; Kenneth McKenzie, grand jury foreman; 1866/17/01
Notice of inquest; on body of Peliaqualor, Cowichan Indian; list of jury; 1866/17/02
Information & complaint; of Solcilatchen through interpreter Harry Wilmer; 1866/17/03
Deposition of Pallack; 1866/17/04
Deposition of Squalaqualit; 1866/17/05
Deposition of Dr. J. Davie; 1866/17/06
Deposition of Sealhampton; 1866/17/07
Verdict of the jury; signed by all members of the jury; 1866/17/08

Deposition of Lucy; evidence to coroner‟s hearing of Lucy, Fort Rupert Indian re
witnessing murder; 1866/18/01

Recognisance of bail; 1867/01/01
Information & complaint; of Tol-a-no, a Cowichan Indian; 1867/01/02
Deposition of Tol-a-no; 1867/01/03
Deposition of H. Sampson; 1867/01/04
Deposition of Sal-a-hak; 1867/01/05

Information & complaint; of Tol-a-no, a Cowichan Indian; 1867/02/01
Recognisance of bail; 1867/02/02
Deposition of Tol-a-no; 1867/02/03
Deposition of H. Sampson; 1867/02/04
Deposition of Sul-a-ken; 1867/02/05
Affidavit of J. Morley, J.P.; 1867/02/06

Indictment for perjury; Victoria; fine copy; 1868/01/01

Indictment Tom & Sue Tas; of Wm. Robinson, black Salt Spring settler; verdict guilty; sentence death; 1868/02/01

Indictment of Shil-ha-hum; a Cowichan Indian for murder of Kal-lat-sealt; 1868/03/01
Affidavit to postpone trial; 1868/03/02
Deposition of Robert Bishop; defence lawyer of accused 1868/03/03
Deposition of Bill; a Quamichan Indian; 1868/03/04
Deposition of Ka-sit-ston; 1868/03/05
Depositions of Si-quall, See-Sy-ill-watt, Mut-tuts; Indian women; 1868/03/06
Deposition of Shil-ha-hum; the accused; 1868/03/07

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

Bill of sale; translation of bill of sale re business Hong Lee; 1870/01/01

Indictment of Ah Wan for the murder of Captain John, an Indian; verdict, not guilty, J.A. Raymur, jury foreman; 1871/01/01

Indictment for escaping jail custody; verdict guilty, sentence additional 1 year with hard labour; 1871/02/01

Indictment of Ah Sam for stabbing with intent; verdict guilty; sentence $200 fine; 1871/03/01
of witnesses; 1871/03/02
Affidavit of A.Pemberton; re evidence of R. McMillan; 1871/03/03
Information & complaint of R. McMillan, 1871/03/04
Deposition of Ah Sam; all depositions witnessed by A. Pemberton; 1871/03/05
Deposition of Ah Hoon; 1871/03/06
Deposition of H. Courtenay; with m/s drawing of scene of crime; 1871/03/07
Deposition of Hing Yoon; 1871/03/07
Deposition of Shu Haw; 1871/03/08
Deposition of Wah; 1871/03/09
Deposition of San Quay; 1871/03/10
Deposition of Ah Soo; 1871/03/11
Deposition of Kum Shin; 1871/03/12
Deposition of Ah Moon; 1871/03/13
Deposition of Ah Sam; 1871/03/14

Indictment for burglary; stealing a Spanish coin; verdict guilty; sentence 6 mo;
1871/04/01

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

Indictment of Ah Bow; verdict guilty; sentence 3 years; 1871/06/01
Deposition of Const.Stewart; 1871/06/02
Deposition of T. Glaholm; 1871/06/03
Deposition of S. D. Levi; 1871/06/04
Verdict of jury; 1871/06/05

Information & complaint; of Sergeant McMillan; 1871/07/01
Recognisances of bail; 1871/07/02
Depositions of R. McMillan; depositions witnessed by A. Pemberton; 1871/07/03
Deposition of Kum Shin; 1871/07/04
Deposition of Insp. Bowden; 1871/07/05
Deposition of Ah Hoon; 1871/07/06
Depositions of Ah Sam; 1871/07/07

Commitment of Billy; for killing Mary, a Yale Indian woman; 1871/08/01
Charge to Billy; 1871/08/02
Commitment of DrMcInnes; to appear at trial; 1871/08/03
Deposition of Doctor; a Yale Indian; 1871/08/04
Deposition of MaryMurphy; 1871/08/05
Deposition of George; a Yale Indian; 1871/08/06
Deposition of Dr. McInnes; re post mortem; 1871/08/07
Deposition of EdwardCoffee; 1871/08/08
Indictment of Billy; 1871/08/09

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

Information &complaint (3); of Sergeant McMillan; 1871/10/01
Commitment to appear; as witnesses; 1871/10/02
Deposition of Sucksackaluck; a Skemeen Indian; 1871/10/03
Depositionof Serg.McMillan; 1871/10/04
Deposition of Louise; a Cowichan Indian; 1871/10/05
Deposition of Sinamutchee; a Cowichan Indian; 1871/10/06
Deposition of Susan; a Cowichan Indian ( & recall); 1871/10/07
Deposition of Seelat; a Cowichan Indian; 1871/10/08
Deposition of George Alipp; 1871/10/09

Indictment for murder; of Mauchalach verdict guilty; sentence death, conducted on HMS
Sparrowhawk, Fort Simpson; 1872/01/01
Deposition of Paiek; conducted by Wm . Duncan, interpreter of all Indian witnesses;
1872/01/02
Deposition of Neash-shah-naht; 1872/01/03
Deposition of Shalidsutin; 1872/01/04
Deposition of Qutlnoh, the accused; 1872/01/05

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 Peter; stealing 2 loaves of bread & cash; verdict guilty; sentence 6 months hard labor; 1872/04/01
-Jury‟s verdict; guilty verdict with recommendations on account of good character; 1872/04/02

-Indictment of Frank; carnally abusing a child ( under 10 years); 1872/05/01