In a Letter addressed to this Office on the 9th Inst under
the direction of Earl Grey, enclosing an Extract from a Despatch from
the Governor of Vancouver's Island, his Lordship desired to be informed
whether this Society would be able to comply with the suggestions of the
Governor for the establishment of Schools for the moral training &
instruction of the Native Tribes.

I have the honour to inform you that the Committee have taken this
matter into their serious consideration which they have been enabled to
do with the better effect from their long labours among the Kindred
Tribes of the Hudson's Bay Territory; & they hope that their existing
Mission in that Territory may be serviceable to Missionary operations in
Vancouver's Island.

Adverting to the objects stated in the Governor's Letter, viz:
that the Natives may become "of service to the Colony & form a valuable
auxiliary force in the event of war with any foreign power"—it appears
to the Committee that the most desirable plan would be the establishment
of industrial Boarding Schools upon the model of similar institutions in
New Zealand.

The Committee would beg to refer to a recent Despatch from Governor
Sir Geo. Grey of New Zealand to Earl Grey dated Wellington, New
Zealand, Jan 24/51, a copy of which Despatch was also furnished to the
Missionaries of this Society, as exhibiting the importance of such
Schools in a social & national point of view. A copy of this Despatch
is herewith appended.

Should Her Majesty's Government concur in these views, the Society
will be prepared to undertake the establishment of such Schools in
Vancouver's Island, provided, as in the case of New Zealand, they be
furnished with suitable buildings, land, & the assistance of an
Agriculturist together with necessary implements, until the School shall
become self supporting. The Society on their part will send out &
maintain a competent English Training Master, & such Native assistance
from the converted Indians in the Hudson's Bay Territory as may seem
suitable for the purpose.

In addition to such Schools, the Comee conceive that it will be necessary to provide one or more Chaplains or Missionaries, who might
attend to the spiritual instruction of the Settlers as well as the
evangelization of the Aborigines.

The Committee could not undertake the establishment of the Schools
without the security of their superintendence by a Clergyman of their
own selection; but they conceive that as such a Clergyman would be
rather a Chaplain to Settlers than a Missionary, they may fairly look to
Her Majesty's Government, or to the Hudson's Bay Company, to provide the
necessary Salary. It was upon this footing that Missionary operations
were first commenced in the Hudson's Bay Territories.

The Society has communicated with the Secretary of the Hudson's Bay
Company upon this subject & have placed in his hands a copy of the
Letter which they have now the honour of transmitting to you.