APPOINTMENT, ARCHIBALD PAULL BURT, SENIOR QUEEN'S COUNSEL OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

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Drummond Hay, Edward Hay. Bryan, Sinclair

1850

Overview

Handwritten Commission appointing Archibald Paull Burt as Senior Queen's Counsel in the Virgin Islands. Affixed are remnants of a red wax seal and ribbon. Dated 1 January 1850.
One large sheet of grey paper folded in half with most of the main text of the appointment letter written across the document (landscape format) on the front page when folded. The letter concludes on the inside page.
Remnants of a red wax seal affixed to a separate square of paper is attached by a green ribbon (now faded). Three vertical folds indicate the document was in the past folded twice more for storage. The document is stained in several areas possibly from the wax seal (or broken sections of the seal) pressing against the paper when folded. There are some noticeable oval indents from the seal at the top of the front page. The title of the document and when it was registered is written on the reverse between two of the folds. (The archaic letter known as the long S is used in the word commission.)
The document was drafted by Sinclair Bryan (Private Secretary) and authorised by Edward Hay Drummond Hay whose signature appears on the front page at top left.

Historical information

Edward Hay Drummond-Hay was President of the Council in the British Virgin Islands 1839-1850.

Sir Archibald Paull Burt (1810-1879) was born into a plantation-owning family on St Kitts Island (formerly St Christopher in the West Indies). Burt accepted the position of Civil Commissioner and Chairman of Quarter Sessions in Western Australia in 1860. In January 1861 he arrived in Western Australia with his family. Burt was instrumental in establishing the Supreme Court Australia in 1861 and became the first Chief Justice of Western Australia. Knighted for his contributions in 1873, he maintained a secluded life to ensure impartiality and professional detachment as sole judge in the colony until his death in 1879. Archibald Paull Burt’s impact and lasting legacy in Western Australia continues through his family members who have held governmental and legislative roles in the state for multiple generations.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-46-1996.160

Item type

Material

Width

190 mm

Height or length

315 mm

Contextual Information

This document is representative of the adherence to English legal traditions in the nineteenth century colonial setting of the British West Indies. The document appears complete (with embellishments) and is in original condition.
Archibald Burt's elevation to the position of Senior Queen's Counsel in the Virgin Islands shortly after his appointment as Queen's Counsel, Virgin Islands on August 1849 indicates the ongoing success of his legal career in public service in the West Indies. Burt went on to become a key figure in the development of law in the English tradition in Western Australia and so documents associated with his earlier legal career are of great interest in understanding his actions and motivations in this area in later years.

Keywords

Drummond Hay, Edward Hay

Bryan, Sinclair

Queen's Counsel

Place made

Tortola, British Virgin Islands

Year

1850

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Scientific or research significance

Comparative significance criteria