No. 52

I duly received your Despatch No. 37 of the 9th of September, and
perused with much interest your detailed account of the expeditions
deigned to obtain the surrender of the Chilicoten Indians who murdered
Mr. Waddington's Road Party. I have since received your Despatch No.
58 of the 7th of October in which you describe the further proceedings
of Mr. Brew and of the party of New Westminster Volunteers who acted
under his orders, and announce their safe return.

The readiness of all the Volunteers on this occasion to enter upon
so arduous a service for the good of their fellow Colonists does them
high credit. I need hardly say that I appreciate the gallantry and
devotion to the public interest which led you to share the dangers and
privations of one of the two parties of Volunteers; and laudable as was
the steadiness and fortitude displayed by them I cannot doubt that they
must have been most valuably encouraged by your presence in their Camp.

It is my earnest hope that the triumph of the Europeans over the
difficulties of this expedition into an Indian Country, and the
consequent surrender of some of the persons accused of the previous
murders may produce a salutary impression and conduce to the public
safety.