No. 11

1. I herewith transmit for your information, copies of a
correspondence with Commander Swartwout, commanding the United States
Steamer "Massachusetts" on the subject of a reported assemblage of
Northern Indians, on Vancouver's Island or in its 
immediate vicinity,
preparatory to a combined hostile movement into the American Territory,
a report which he observes has given rise to much excitement and caused
great alarm among the inhabitants of Washington Territory.

2. Not being aware that the northern Indians entertain the designs
imputed to them by such reports, and having recently received
intelligence from those parts of Vancouver's Island which in the event
of a meditated attack upon the American Settlements, the Northern
Indians would probably select, as a rendezvous I feel 
assured that no
such muster of Indians has taken place.

3. I stated my opinion, to that effect, in replying to Captain
Swartwout's communication and also the arrival of a large party of
Northern Indians at this place.

4. I however refrained from giving a decided opinion as to their
future conduct or intentions, though I do not think that they meditate
evil against the whites, yet being the creatures of impulse, no sort of
confidence can be reposed in them.

5. Many other gangs of those savages to the number in all of 60
large canoes, have since arrived here: a number sufficiently 
alarming,
considering their character, and the weak state of the settlements.
They however continue quiet and submissive to all the police
regulations, which we have thought it proper to establish.