No. 69

In forwarding the Act of the Vancouver Island Legislature 28 and 29
Vict: Cap: 9 "An Act to amend the manner of taking the Verdict of a Jury
in Civil cases," you express your opinion that this measure, which
allows the verdict of not less than three fourths of a Jury where a
unanimous verdict cannot be had, should be extended to criminal cases on
the ground that in such cases the necessity for unanimity has frequently
led to failure of justice.

I think that the circumstances of the colony as described by you
sufficiently justify this recommendation and I shall be prepared to
submit for Her Majesty's Sanction a law passed with this object if that
Law is otherwise unobjectionable.