No. 4

I have the honor of transmitting herewith for your information
my correspondence with the House of Assembly of Vancouver's
Island on the public business of this Colony.

2. The subjects referred to in that correspondence are not of
an important nature with the exception of that marked Letter I
dated 5th February 1859 which touches on the subject of the
land reserved near to the Town of Victoria for the benefit of
the Native Indian Population.

3. Attempts having been made by persons residing at this place
to secure those lands for their own advantage by direct purchase
from the Indians, and it being desirable and necessary to put a
stop to such proceedings, I instructed the Crown Solicitor to
insert a public notice in the "Victoria Gazette" to the effect
that the land in question was the property of the Crown, and for
that reason the Indians themselves were incapable of conveying a
legal Title to the same, and that any person holding such land
would be summarily ejected.

4. In my communication before referred to you will perceive
that I have informed the House of Assembly of the course I
propose to adopt with respect to the disposal and management of
the Indian Reserve at Victoria, that is, to lease the land, and to apply all the proceeds arising thereupon for the exclusive
benefit of the Indians.

5. I have but little doubt that the proposed measure will be in
accordance with the views of Her Majesty's Government, and I
trust it may meet with their approval, as it will confer a great
benefit on the Indian population, protect them from being
despoiled of their property, and will render them self
supporting, instead of being thrown as outcasts and burdens upon
the Colony.