9598.
SIR,
No. 361.
(BRITISH COLUMBIA.)
QUEEN'S ADVOCATE to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Doctors' Commons, October 4, 1865.
I AM honoured with your commands, signified in Sir F. Rogers' letter of the 27th ultimo, stating that he was directed to transmit to me an Ordinance passed by the Legislature of British Columbia entitled "No. 21, an Ordinance respecting marri- ages in British Columbia," together with the local Attorney General's Report thereon, and Sir F. Rogers was pleased to request that I would furnish you with my opinion whether this Ordinance may properly be confirmed by Her Majesty.
46
In obedience to your commands I have taken these papers into consideration, and have the honour to
Report
That, in the opinion of the Attorney General of Columbia, it is stated that there is
"a large Indian community in this Colony." The Act speaks of "ministers" and
L
religious denominations," and expressly excludes from its operations Jews and Quakers. I am not sure whether it is intended to include Indians within the provisions of this statute, and to permit them to be married before the registrar.
But such would, I think, be the effect of the statute,
Looking to the 17th clause, it is difficult to say that the effect of this statute would not be to render invalid for the future all marriages celebrated by native Indians among themselves. I think it would be expedient to ascertain whether this point has been considered by the Legislature of Columbia before the Aot be confirmed by Her Majesty.
I have, &c. (Signed) ROBERT PHILLIMORE. The Right Hon. Mr. Secretary Cardwell, M.P.,
&c.
&c.
&c.
16278.492,
25,-8/06.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
ག།། །
سلنا
Reference :-
C.O. 885
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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