No. 26

1. In reporting the other
day

the result of my observations on the Gold regions of Fraser's River, I
omitted to mention several things, which I ought to have communicated to
you.

2. In consequence of that omission I have now to state that
Hicks, Richardappointed revenue officer
during my stay at the Falls of Fraser's River, I appointed Mr
Richard Hicks, a respectable Englishman engaged in mining pursuits
there, as Revenue Officer for the District of Fort Yale, at a salary
of £40 a year to be paid out of the Revenue of the country.

3. On the arrival of our party at "Hill's Bar," the white Miners
MiningbarsHills
Indianshostility to miners
were in a state of great alarm on account of a serious affray which had
just occurred with the native Indians, who mustered under arms, in a
tumultuous manner, and threatened to make a clean sweep of the whole
body of miners assembled there.

4. The quarrel arose out of a series of provocations on both
sides, and from the jealousy of the savages who naturally feel annoyed
at the large quantities of gold taken from their country by the
white miners.

5. I lectured them soundly about their conduct, on that occasion,
Indiansappointed police officer
and took the leader in the affray, an Indian, highly connected in
their way, and of great influence, resolution and energy of character,
into the Government service, and found him exceedingly useful in
settling other Indian difficulties.

6. I also spoke with great plainess of speech, to the white miners,
Lawprotection to Indigenous peoples
who were nearly all foreigners, representing almost every nation in
Europe. I refused to grant them any rights of occupation to the soil,
and told them distinctly that Her Majesty's Government ignored their very
existence in that part of the country, which was not open for the purpose
of settlement, and they were permitted to remain there merely on
sufferance; that no abuses would be tolerated, and that the Laws would
protect the rights of the Indian, no less than those of the white man.

7. I also appointed Mr George Perrier a British Subject, as
Perrier, Georgeappointment as JP
Justice of the Peace for the District of "Hill's Bar," and directed
the Indians to apply to him for redress, whenever any of them suffer
wrong, at the hands of white men, and also cautioned them against taking
the Law into their own hands, and seeking justice according to their
own barbarous customs.

8. I also appointed Indian Magistrates, who are to bring forward
when required any man of their several Tribes, who may be charged with
offences against the Laws of the country, an arrangement which will
prevent much evil; but without the exercise of unceasing vigilance on the
part of the Government, Indian troubles will sooner or later occur.

9. The recent defeat of Colonel Steptoe's detachments of United
Steptoe, Col.defeat of
States troops consisting of Dragoons and Infantry, by the Indians of
Oregon Territory,

has greatly increased the natural audacity of the
savage, and the difficulty of managing them. It will require I fear
the nicest tact to avoid a disastrous Indian war.

10. I transmit herewith a hand book and map of the Gold region
Mapof gold districts
of Fraser's River, which will prove useful as a reference.