No. 39

Referring to my Despatch No 34, of the 7th Ultimo, reporting for
Your Grace's information various matters in connection with the
Indian Tribes congregated at that time around Victoria, I have the
honor to communicate to Your Grace that fresh arrivals have been
constantly occurring, while but comparatively few departures have
taken place, so that at the present moment there are
nearly four thousand Indians in the outskirts of the Town of Victoria.

2. With one or two exceptions they have conducted themselves
peaceably, but much apprehension is felt by the inhabitants at the
close contiguity of a body of Savages double to them in number.

3. In these apprehensions I do not share, for the object of the
Indians in visiting this place is not to make War upon the white man,
but to benefit by his presence, by selling their Furs and other
commodities; but I cannot be blind to the fact that in an emergency
we are nearly wholly unprotected, and the most direful consequences
might ensue were any sudden outburst to occur.

4. We have but a small Police Force at Victoria, and no
regularly organized and armed Force, which alone could be
depended on in case of emergency. Numerous Special Constables have
been sworn in, and have given cheerful assistance upon one or two
occasions of alarm; but this is an expedient not calculated to be of
much avail against Savages in case of an attack, unless a disciplined
force were in reserve.

5. As Your Grace is no doubt aware the Vessels of War do not lie in
Victoria Harbour, but at Esquimalt three miles off, Fort Victoria not
being capable of receiving Vessels of large draft of water, and
therefore although we may have the most efficient assistance near at
hand, yet in reality it is too remote to be instantly available in
case of sudden need.

6. Admiral Baynes has at my request, and as mentioned in my Despatch
of the 7th July, stationed a Boat with a Gun, and occasionally one
of the Steam Gun Boats, at the entrance of Fort Victoria Harbour, to
disarm the Indians upon their arrival. The Indians however manage to
evade this surveillance in a great measure, for they land their Arms
before entering the Harbor, in the custody of their friends, from
whom they can afterwards obtain them: but the check exists
nevertheless, and produces a certain moral restraint which is
beneficial.

7. Much alarm is also manifested by the Settlers on the Coast, and
at Admiral or Salt Spring Island, and Nanaimo, and they have
addressed to me Petitions praying for protection to be afforded them.
Copies of two of these Petitions I forward herewith. Although I
confidently trust that the probability
of disturbances arising between the white Settlers and the Indians
may be far more remote than they seem to believe, yet I am well aware
what small cause is calculated to arouse all the fiercer passions of
the Savage, and, in a moment, to overturn all considerations of
profit or interest, or even of consequences, although speedy
retribution may be inevitable. It therefore would be highly culpable
to relax in any precautionary measures; but in this case the number
of white people is so disproportionate to that of the Indians, that
we must in a great degree rely upon aid from without.

8. Under these circumstances I have felt it necessary to appeal to
Admiral Baynes, the Naval Commander in Chief, and I have requested
him to station a small guard of Marines at Victoria, during the
period that the Indians may be assembled here in such numbers, and to
detach a Vessel from Esquimalt to be stationed for the present near
to Cowitchen, so as to visit at frequent intervals the different
white Settlements on the Coast.

9. I forward herewith Copies of the Correspondence which has passed
between the Admiral and myself upon the subject.