Swanston to Banister

I arrived on the 29th Ult. from Vancouvers Island where I have
been staying since I last addressed you. The Residents, as a last
Effort to save the Colony, have begged of me to apply in the strongest
terms to you to exert what influence you can bring to bear in their
favor. Enclosed I send you such documents as they were enabled to
furnish me with; the Copies of the Memorials to the Colonial Secretary,
the House of Commons, and the Queen, forwarded last year, and of which
you were to have been furnished with duplicates, having been in some way
mislaid it was decided to place you in the best position possible, and
leave it to yourself to do what you can.

On my arrival at Victoria I found that the Colonists were so
disheartened at the apathy & indifference shewn by the Colonial office
in re their grievances, that it required the strongest representations
on my part, to induce them to make one more effort, however weak
availing of your good offices; if one must die 'tis well to die doing.
The feeling existing in the Colony is that the place is doomed; and
there is Every probability, if matters do not mend, of a general Exodus
shortly. I know of no fewer than Six families, who are preparing to
leave this next Summer. Once the move commences 'twill be too late to
attempt restoring Confidence by any patching compromises.

I trust that in writing you on the matter, and occupying your time,
I am not taking any undue advantage of your Kind offer of services in
favor of Vancouvers Island, and I sincerely hope that you may have the
opportunity of doing something, however little, towards drawing the
attention of the Government to that important place.

The Colonists are all delighted at the Idea of having convicts
introduced and they express themselves strongly as to the benefits
likely to result to the Island by such a measure.

The War is raging with unabated violence on the American Shores of
the Straits of Fuca; the Farmers and their families have either been
Massacred, or found to fly into the little Townships along Pugets Sound
for protection. The Nisqually and Puyallup Indians (fishers) and the
Klileatats & Yahemassianie Indians, are as yet the only Tribes who have openly declared war, but they are using Every effort of persuasion &
intimidation to induce the adjoining Tribes to side with them, & there
is I believe but little doubt as to what will be the result of their
Machinations. As yet the Vancouver Island Indians are quiet &
apparently uninterested, but from personal investigation and through the
Agency of Indians in my pay I have become Cognisant of a State of
feeling amongst them which is not to be triffled with. The progress of
the war is a matter of constant discussion with them, & the as yet
successful efforts of the Red Skin is viewed with Evident satisfaction.
The H.B.Co have been furnishing the Americans with powder & arms, and
also have tendered the use of their Steamer on various occasions; this
has not Escaped the notice of the Savages and the belief is current
amongst them at present, that the King George Man (The British
Subject) & the Bostons (Citizens of the United States) are allies,
and that the ultimate destruction of the red skin is their object. The
whites on Vancouvers Island are placed in a very difficult position, a
position that requires an abler man at the head of affairs than Mr
Douglas—Nous Verrons!

I have been endeavouring to secure some Washington Territory
Newspapers for you, but with small success. The call for Volunteers
there has been so urgent that Editors and [printers] Devils have [been]
forced to take up the Rifle and Bowie Knife, thus causing a cessation to
the issue of "Gazette Extraordinary"
the accompanying newspapers
from that quarter will, though somewhat soiled [will] I trust not be
unacceptable to you, and enable you to form a more correct idea of the
State of affairs at the time of their issue than you can obtain by any
other means.

The small bust herewith, though far from a favorable specimen of
the talent of the Indian Sculptor, will suffice to give you an idea of
their Ingenuity in the line; I have seen most beautiful work of this
description by the Northern Indians; likenesses, so striking as
to be recognised at a glance.

The fall of the Southern portion of Sebastopol was appropriately
honored here by the Resident British and French; a Medal was struck on
the occasion of which I forward you a specimen.

You will have noticed how successful our friend Walker is in
Nicaragua, he shewed wisdom in refusing the Presidency. The sympathy
for him here is very strong—by Every steamer volunteers flock to his
standard, he has wealthy men at his back as you may Judge from the fact
of an agent of his having, within the last few weeks endeavoured to
purchase a Steamer shewing credits to the tune of $100,000.