No. 51

I have the honor to submit for Your consideration a copy
of a Memorial drawn up at a large and influential Public Meeting
held in this City on the 22nd Ultimo.

The Memorialists pray that I will apply for a portion of Her
Majesty's Forces to act as a permanent guard to this Colony. I
consider that Your despatches No. 70 of the 20th September
and "Confidential" of the same date, in reply to Governor Seymour's
representations on this subject, convey the decision of Her
Majesty's Government as regards the Imperial Protection to be
afforded to British Columbia and that it is needless for me to
refer again to the defenceless state of the Colony.

2. I am however glad to have this opportunity of reporting,
in the words of the Memorialists, the enthusiastic unanimity
with which the people have voluntarily placed themselves at my
disposal on the first rumour of an intended invasion and the
zeal and military ardour which now pervades the entire community.
I think I may safely estimate that more than two thirds of the
settled population of the Lower Fraser have come forward, taken
the Oath of Allegiance and are giving up a large portion of their
time to Drill and Rifle practice.

3. At the request of the Officers of the several Corps I
was present yesterday at a volunteer gathering at Langley. I
found the new Corps progressing in their drill and in their rifle
practice most satisfactorily. Nothing could exceed the loyalty
and good feeling that pervaded the entire proceedings.

4. I cannot say that I entertain the popular belief as regards
the invasion of British Columbia by the Fenian Brotherhood, at
the same time the independent and self-reliant manner in which the
Colonists have come forward without hesitation will I trust receive
some acknowledgement of satisfaction from Her Majesty's Government.