Denman to Carnarvon

I have had occasion frequently to avail myself of the
Services of Mr Hankin, late Superintendent of Police at
Victoria, Vancouver Island, and am anxious to bear my
testimony to the great value of his experience, and of the
very important Services he has rendered me on various occasions.

I wish especially to refer to October 1864, when he
 accompanied me in my Flag Ship to Clayoquot Sound, where I
proceeded in order to enquire into the destruction of a
British Vessel called the Kingfisher, and the Murder of the
crew by the Natives. He was my principal Agent in the
inquiries I instituted, especially in investigating the
facts, and, in the measures that followed ending in the
eventual punishment of the criminals.

His intelligence, intrepidity, and zeal were of the
greatest assistance to me, and he displayed a knowledge of
the Native character which impressed me with the highest
opinion of his value.

The loss of his appointment by the Union of the Colonies
of British Columbia and Vancouver Island has induced me to
address you on the subject of Mr Hankin's services, which
were performed under my own eye, and will I trust excuse me
in offering my testimony in his favor, which under other
circumstances might perhaps be deemed irregular.