No. 20

I have the honor to transmit to you the accompanying extracts from
a despatch addressed to the Board of Admiralty by Rear Admiral Denman in
which he suggests that the Colonies of British Columbia and Vancouver
Island should employ a Colonial Vessel for purposes of defence and for
preventing aggressions of the Indians against British Traders.

This proposal appears to be well worthy of attention, and I
should be glad to learn your opinion of the practicability of adopting
it, and providing for the requisite expenditure out of Colonial funds.

I enclose for your information an Act which has been lately passed
by the Imperial Parliament to make better provision for the Naval
defence of the Colonies, and I would suggest to you the advantage which
your Government would derive from availing themselves of the
arrangements contemplated in the Bill.

I have addressed a similar communication on this subject to the
Governor of B. Columbia/Vanc: Island.