Panning for Gold

Faces of the Gold Rush

What's the meaning?

You be the Judge...

Thompson River First Nations

Fort Yale District,
April 30, 1859.

I have the honor herewith to enclose a copy of the charges of the costs of Court of Captain Whannel, of this place; the imposition and enormous charges inflicted upon the poor hard working miners requires Your Excellency's immediate attention. This is only one amongst the many instances complained of, and the people here feel assured you will not allow such petty tyranny to be practiced upon them. The charges, like these for hearing any trivial offence, prevents parties from having justice done them.

In the present case the charge was for assault, and the defendant waived a hearing and only required binding over until the Assizes.

Justices of the Peace require no salary if such enormous charges are allowed as these.

At the request of several inhabitants of this place, I have taken this liberty of submitting the case to Your Excellency, feeling assured you will speedily remedy the evil.

Another charge of gross injustice to a W. Way, who was defrauded by a boatman of the sum of sixty dollars, which Captn. Whannell allowed in the face of evidence the most complete, because W. Way spoke rather lightly of said Whannell of his conduct in California. On proper investigation Your Excellency will find he is quite unfit for the office he now holds.(52)

RICHARD HICKS.

Footnotes:
(52) Though Hicks has been dismissed, he is evidently striving to settle old scores with "Captain" Whannell, his accuser, or, rather, one of his accusers.

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