Confidential

With reference to my despatch No. 24 of yesterday's
date, I wish to make some remarks on the defenceless state
of the Colony, which you might perhaps not wish to see in
a public despatch.

2. Beyond the few old guns mounted in some of the
almost dismantled Hudson's Bay forts, there is not a cannon
in the Colony. The salutes I alluded to in some of my
despatches as having been fired in my honor were simply loud
explosions, of gunpowder placed between two anvils, one of
which on each occasion was blown into the air. I was recently
visited by the United States sloop of War "Shubrick," and had
to send to request the Commander not to salute as I had not
the means of returning the compliment. There appears likely
to be a rush of many thousands of American citizens to our
newly discovered gold fields this year and we shall have to
rely exclusively on moral influence for their control.

*

3. I need scarcely remind you that we have but a
permanent white population of about three thousand, surrounded
by Indians to the number, it is estimated of forty thousand.

4. But the most important consideration which I would
venture to bring before you, is that steps are now being taken
for the construction in this Territory of the Telegraph which
is to connect the United States with Russia. It hardly rests
with me to point out the closeness of the friendship which,
it is believed on the Pacific, unites those two Countries,
but it is obvious that in the event of our unhappily being at
war with either power, it would be most important for that
power to keep up its telegraphic communication. The one with
America. The other with Asia and Europe as the case might be.
This in the present condition of things might be effected at
once by an attack on British Columbia.

5. The Collins Telegraphic Company have the right to
erect blockhouses and forts within this Colony for the protection
of the Company's Servants, against the native tribes. The
Director of the Company here, Colonel Buckley, is an Officer
of the United States Engineers. He proposes to import from
six hundred to one thousand men for the construction of the
line and for its proper defense. Of the few men who have
already arrived several have served in the American Army and
it is probable that the interior of the Colony will soon be
virtually in their hands.

6. Under these circumstances I venture to support the
prayer of the Legislative Council that some portion of Her
Majesty's Naval forces be stationed, when not required
elsewhere in the Fraser.