No. 10

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Sir George Grey's
Despatch, No 1, of the 3rd April 1855, in reference to the Vice
Admiralty Court of Vancouver's Island, to which it is proposed to add
the Powers of a Court of Prize, to those already conferred as a Court of
Instance, and to appoint a Judge, Registrar, Advocate, and Marshal, and
further instructing me to transmit the names and designation of those
persons in the settlement, who are in my judgment best qualified to fill
the above offices.

I confess to your Lordship that I feel exceedingly perplexed, on
this occasion, from the fact, that among the educated inhabitants of
this Colony, who are principally engaged in the pursuits of Commerce or
Agriculture, there is a difficulty in finding persons acquainted with
Admiralty Law, or who are sufficiently conversant with the rules and
regulations, touching the practice to be observed in suits and
Proceedings in Courts of Vice Admiralty, to prepare the proper
instruments, or to undertake the direction of suits, involving large
interests and profound questions at Law.

However as it appears to be the wish of Her Majesty's Government
that such nominations should be made, I will here submit the names of
four persons; who are in my opinion, better qualified to fill the
offices referred to, than any other in this Colony, and I can moreover
with justice, assure your Lordship, that they are all, without
exception, gentlemen, who bear a high character in the Colony, for
general intelligence and integrity.

For Judge David Cameron Esqre of Belmont

For Registrar Mr Robert Barr of Victoria

For Advocate Mr Benjamin Pearse of Victoria

For Marshal Edward E Langford Esqre of Colwood