Magee to Newcastle

On the 24th December 1858 Bernard Rice (a Native of
Carrickcloughan in the Parish of Killeavy in the County of Armagh)
was Shot to death by one William Foster at Fort Yale, British
Columbia. An Inquest was held before P.B. Whannell Justice of the
Peace and Coroner, and a Verdict of Wilful Murder by William Foster
was found.

Mrs Elizabeth Rice the Mother and next of kin of Bernard Rice
lives in Castle Street in the Town of Newry.

On the 14th of January 1859, Captain Whannell wrote to
Mrs Rice informing her of the Murder of her Son, and subsequently
a Second letter, enclosing a Copy of the Verdict, and further Stating

That among Bernard Rice's Papers, a Bill for £20, drawn at 7 days
Sight by the Provincial Bank at Newry on Spooner Atwood & Co London,
was found, which Bill, Mr Whannell retained until he should hear
from Mrs Rice.

That, on the person of Bernard Rice he had found, and had taken
Charge of a Bag Containing Gold Dust value 69 Dollars and 50
Cents—In Silver Coin One Dollar & 85 Cents and a "Colt Revolver."

That the Deceased's friend had Sold his Effects and placed same
in his Mr Whannells hands amounting to 91 Dollars and requesting
Instruction for the disposal of the Effects.

See letter No 1.

On the 29th Decr 1858 Two men, named Simpson Musgrove and
Thomas Williams, wrote to Mrs Rice from Fort Yale, stating the
death of her Son and stating, "400 Dollars were on his person. That
they had Sold his Claim & Effects for 91 Dollars and handed Same to the
Authorities." See Copy No 2.

In March 1859 Mrs Rice received these letters and answered
both directly.

On the 10th of June Williams & Musgrove wrote from Fort Yale
acknowledging receipt of Mrs Rices letter (on 8th June) wherein
one States, "I have just been at the Magistrate of this place to see if
he had sent the Money to you and that the Magistrate said he had written
to Mrs Rice on the 27th of January." See Copy No 3.

Not having received a reply from Captn Whannell, Mrs Rice
instructed me to write to him and on the 3d of Augt 1859 I
addressed to Captn Whannell a letter explaining that Mrs Rice
was Entitled to the property of her Son, and requesting same would
be remitted to her.

But up to the present, no reply has been made to this letter.
Nor has she heard from Captn Whannell. See Copy No 4.

The Bill for £20 was sent by Mrs Rice to her Son to sustain
him while in bad health in the Colony. The Second Bill she now
holds, It having been returned to her through the Post Office at
Puget Sound after her Sons death.

I enclose a Copy of Bernard Rices letter to his Mother
acknowledging receipt of the £20 Bill, and explaining that, it having
been the Second Bill of Exchange, it was not Negotiable. See Copy
No 5.

I beg on the part of Mrs Rice Your Lordship will be pleased
to cause inquiry to be made into the facts, and direct Captn
Whannell to remit to Mrs Rice the Effects of her Son Bernard Rice,
which came to the hands of Captn Whannell, and if possible, to
bring William Foster to Justice.