Coutts to Lytton

I am much obliged by Your explicit Letter. I am glad to find
You do not have office & hope Your Health may soon be benefitted. I
should not trouble you now, but that I have been much pressed to
point out to You, a circumstance which has arrested the attention of
some very intelligent Gentlemen here, who have paid considerable
attention to the American Policy. There appeared in the Times of
last Monday or Tuesday, I think, a small paragraph to the effect that
the well known
Walker had reached California in disguise & these Gentlemen
have connected this singular circumstance with
possible intentions in British Columbia on the part of the
Americans—with or without direct support from their Government. With,
a War, probable in Europe—Indians not wholly quiet & recent disturbances
in British Columbia where there are few Troops the movement would not be
unfavourable—of its likelihood I can of course form no opinion. If
the various pieces of intelligence respecting Walkers movements in this
guise be important the circumstance has most probably attracted
the attention of HM Government. Still as it was named to me so seriously
by persons of intelligence & judgement & I should be very sorry for
the Bishop of Columbia to find Walker amongst his Parishioners
I thought I would bring it privately under Your notice but this letter
requires no answer & pray do not reply in any way.