No. 68

1. Intelligence arrived here last night from Mr
Justice Whannell of Fort Yale, reporting that he had met
with serious opposition in the discharge of his official
duties from a party of gamblers and refugees from justice,
who have collected about Hill's Bar and Fort Yale.

The particulars of the outrage are detailed in Mr
Justice Whannell's letter, written under great excitement,
yet correctly portraying the men we have to deal with.

2. They are reckless desperadoes requiring the strong
arm to curb them; hitherto they have been very guarded in
their conduct, and the present difficulty would not have
occurred, but for the attempt made to suppress gambling at
Fort Yale—in consequence of the atrocious murder which
Justice Whannell mentions in his letter—as having been
lately committed in one of those unhallowed resorts.

3. Mr Hicks who is weak rather than corrupt was removed
from office some time ago and Justice Perrier who appears to
have acted in the arrest of his Brother Magistrate, either
under the influence of fear or fraud, will also be struck off
the list of officers.

4. No time will be lost in dealing with this case;
Lieutenant Governor Moody—who left this place some days ago
on a visit to Fort Langley—will as he states, in a letter
which I have this hour received from him, at once proceed
with a force of 25 Engineers under Captain Grant's command
to Fort Yale, accompanied by Judge Begbie.

This admirable promptitude on the part of Colonel Moody
will be attended with the happiest effects—and I shall
immediately despatch a force of 25 marines and a body of
police under Mr Brew's command to re-inforce Colonel Moody's party.

5. The case will be thoroughly investigated and the
decision of the Law courts will be carried out to the letter.

6. Justice Whannell was not properly supported by
the Fort Yale Police who fell away at the first appearance
of danger; a fact showing that we cannot rely on a force
raised from the mining population.

I therefore would strongly urge that 150 instead of 60
men as recommended in my Despatch No 56 of the 27th of
December, of the Irish constabulary force fully armed and
equipped, should be shipped without delay for British Columbia.

7. Four numbers of the "Victoria Gazette"

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are forwarded herewith for your information.

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I write in haste to save the mail.