No. 69

I have the honor to report that the Western Union Telegraph
Company have made great progress during the present season in
constructing the Line of Telegraph through this Colony.

2. At the close of the Season of 1865 the line was completed
a short distance beyond the Town of Quesnelmouth on Fraser River.
 From this point Northwards to the Russian American territory the
Country through which it was intended to construct the Line of
Telegraph was almost unknown and the Indians of that portion of
 the Colony were generally considered hostile to white men.

3. With the experience of the insurrection of the Chilicoten
Tribes, caused by careless indifference and the ill treatment of
the Indians by the labourers employed in making a Pack Trail, I
was anxious if possible to establish some law and order in the camp
of the working party, consisting of 150 men, selected to construct
the line northward through the wildest portion of the Colony,
reported to contain a large native population.

4. In conversation with Colonel Bulkley the representative 
of the Western Union Telegraph Company on the Pacific Coast, I
suggested the advisability of a Government Agent being attached
to the working party to obtain information of the Country and
act on behalf of the Government in any matters connected with
the Native tribes. Colonel Bulkley gladly acceded to my
 suggestion, offering on behalf of the Company to defray all
travelling expenses and to contribute one half the salary of the
Officer I might select.

5. I was fortunately enabled to procure the services of Mr
T. Elwyn to proceed with the constructing party as Government
 Agent, acting as a Magistrate of the Colony. Mr Elwyn was formerly
 a Stipendiary Magistrate but resigned the Public Service with the
 intention of farming. During the Expedition against the Chilicoten
 Indians he was second in command of the Volunteer Force and has
 always been successful in his treatment of the Indian Tribes. I
 have now the honor to enclose copy of report from Mr Elwyn on
 the conduct of the Indian Tribes and the nature of the country
through which the line of Telegraph passes.

6. At the request of the Superintendent of the Company Mr
 Elwyn remains in charge of the party wintering on the Stikeen.
He will continue to hold and act upon his Commission as a
Magistrate without entailing any expenditure from Public Funds.