No. 32

Since my communication of the 8th of Ultimo, I have carried into
effect, the intention therein expressed of despatching one of the
Hudsons Bay Company's Steam Vessels (the "Otter") with a further
quantity of Ammunition for the use of the Government of Washington Territory, and herewith is transmitted for the information of her
Majesty's Government, a copy of the letter which I addressed, on that
occasion, to the Officer Administering the Government of that Territory,
and also his replies to that, as well as to the letter which I addressed
to him on the 6th of November, of which I had the honor of transmitting a copy with my letter to you of the 8th of November last.

I feel a high degree of satisfaction, in reporting to you, that the
visit of the "Otter" to the American Settlements in Puget Sound, was
appreciated, equally by the Executive Officers and the people at large.

A large force of regular Troops have now arrived in the 'Columbia,'
from San Francisco, and reinforcements of Troops with munitions of War,
have also been sent into Puget Sound. Those measures have compelled the Indians to abandon the open country, and to retire into the fastnesses
of the mountains. It will be an enterprise of time and difficulty to
drive them from thence, while they can, at pleasure, fall upon any part
of the settled Country which remains unprotected.

The horrors of Indian warfare are forcibly exhibited in the tragic
events detailed in the Puget Sound Newspapers. The American Settlements
on the White River were lately attacked by a small force of Natives, and
entirely destroyed; neither man woman nor child having escaped the fury
of the savage foe; and the remains of the poor murdered victims, were
found exposed and mutilated in the most atrocious manner: an act of
barbarity which will bring upon them a fearful retribution.

The Native Tribes of this Colony continue their usual quiet and
friendly demeanour, and have not given any cause of complaint.