Separate

It is with sincere regret that I announce to Your Grace that
the Cariboo district appears to be in a state of insurrection.
The Police Magistrate writes to inform me that he is utterly
powerless to enforce the law & applies for a force of Marines from
Her Majesty's ships. I wish to carry on the Civil Government as
long as I can by civil force, & proceed today to Cariboo. The
distance is nearly five hundred miles & I may be prevented by
distance or restraints from communicating with Your Grace for some
time to come.

I have not yet formally applied to Admiral Hastings for
assistance, but he has stated to my Private Secretary, who is now
in Victoria, that his instructions would prevent his detaching
any force from his ships for a place so remote as Cariboo.

The Police Magistrate leaves us in ignorance as to the present
state of things in Cariboo. I hardly know whether his silence is
voluntary or compulsory.