Private, Moody to Lytton

I venture on the liberty of writing a few private and
confidential lines to say that my first and second interviews
with Governor Douglas are full of promise the most satisfactory.
I have entirely disarmed him, of all jealousy and neutralized
any little mischevious attempt to introduce a wedge between
us. He clearly understands that I have had the honour to be
selected and placed at his disposal by you to aid and assist
in every way not only in command of troops & Surveys and works
but in any other way he may be disposed to think my Counsels
and Services may be of value to him. I have assured him I understand
my instructions to be that I am entirely under his orders
and that he will find me support him loyally, that
where I may venture to offer him an opinion and even
to urge it when Such opinon may entirely differ from his own it
will be urged in a spirit of duty to himself & not of
opposition, that when such opinion of mine may be rejected by
him, he will find me carry out his instructions as cordially
in every respect as if they had originated with myself. We
gave each other a grip of the hand most significant of the
understanding between us, & my prayer to God is for grace and
wisdom to do my duty heartily always and cheerfully in a spirit
which you will I trust approve of to the last. I will do
nothing "by halves."

It will of course be most desirable that all my opinions
should be recorded and also I think that you should know them.

I am anxious you should be made aware early of the following
points that will most probably come before you in an official
form from the Governor before long. Perhaps he has already
submitted some of them to you.

The immediate necessity for a Mint, and Assay office. For
want of a Mint the Colony is losing a very large annual amount
of wealth. This will be explained—4 per cent on all gold raised
is lost at all events.

The raising a large Mounted Police force and that it is
probable regular Forces will not be immediately required.

The reconsideration of the site of the principal town on
the Fraser. I believe the Governor has not committed himself
to the adoption of Langley, but I fear I shall have the
misfortune to differ as to the site. He may give way and I
trust my reason will bring about that happy result.

The grave importance of the British obtaining Point Roberts.
Captain Prevost of the Satellite and Col. Hawkins R.E. do not
at all attach the same importance that I do to this matter
and I may be wrong, but I would beg you to obtain an opinion
from Sir John
Burgoyne

and from some other experienced General
after I shall have written, an explanatory private letter to
Sir John Burgoyne. This question is one out of my province,
but still perhaps I ought not to withhold my opinion on the
subject, as it certainly does affect the future defence of B. 
Columbia and I cannot but think in a very material degree.

Sir John will however give you a most valuable opinion,
after I shall have sent him a Military Report.

The Mail is just leaving and I must conclude in haste.

I am thankful to say my family have borne the journey well
and we are all most cheerful.

It was an auspicious event arriving on Christmas Day with
Peace & Goodwill in our hearts toward everybody. Captain Parsons has just come in from Langley. All well, and working
hard. Gold abundant.