No. 28

1. I fear the frequent and desultory nature of my Despatches
Douglas, Jameswork load of
will give you much trouble, but the pressure of business compels
me to address you in this form.

2. Reports are continually arriving here confirmatory of the
Gold fieldsdiscovery reported in Cowichan Valley
extent and value of the Fraser's River Gold region, and Captain Stuart of the Hudson's Bay Company's service has just reported
Stuart, Capt. Charles E.
the discovery of Gold in the Cowetchin valley Vancouver's Island, on the authority of Indian testimony.

3. Another report has just been made officially by Mr Brotchie,
Brotchie, Capt. William
Gold fieldsdiscovery reported in Howe Sound
that he saw and examined the contents of a purse containing about £20
worth of gold dust, which an Indian had collected in Howe's Sound or
Burrard's Canal situated in the Gulf of Georgia, a little north of
Fraser's River, a fact which adds force to the opinion expressed in the
18th paragraph of my despatch No 24 of the 10th of June 1858,
respecting the impression I entertained of the auriferous character of
the country to the eastward of the Gulf of Georgia, as far north as
Johnstone's Straits.

4. Your Lordship will not be surprised to learn, that under
these circumstances, the gold excitement throughout this Colony,
California and Oregon continues unabated.

5. Crowds of people are coming in from all quarters. The
ShipsCommodore
ShipsPanama
American Steamer "Commodore" arrived on the 13th of Instant
from San Francisco with 450 passengers and the Steamer
"Panama"
came in yesterday from the same Port with 750 passengers, and
other vessels are reported to be on the way.

6. Two River Steamers the
ShipsSurprise
ShipsSea Bird
"Surprise"
and "Sea
Bird,"
both owned by American citizens, ply with passengers between this Port
and Fraser's River, the former having made her way up that stream as
far as Fort Hope, one hundred and ten miles from 
the sea. The
Miners by that means reach their destination with safety and despatch.

7. The quantity of gold collected by the Hudson's Bay Company
Goldreturns
up to the present time, rather exceeds £10,000 in value, and I saw during
my recent excursion, a large quantity of gold among the miners.

8. I herewith forward for your information a copy of the Terms,
HudsonsBayCompany exclusiverightstotrade
LawEnglish customs act
CustomsEnglish law
on which it is proposed to allow Steam vessels to ply upon Fraser's
River, enforcing at once the Revenue Laws of the Empire, and respecting
the Trading rights of the Hudson's Bay Company. Those terms are not
exclusive, but open to acceptance by any parties undertaking the
performance of the proposed conditions. The object of all those measures 
is to give facilities to miners, and to secure the trade of the gold
region for our own country, as it will otherwise take the direction of
the Columbia River, into American Oregon.

10. We have commenced levying the duty on mining licences; all
Licensesmining
parties entering the River by the licenced Steam vessels, being required
to pay one month's Licence in advance. We have collected about £420, a
revenue that I will hold subject to your instructions.

11. When Fraser's River now greatly swollen, subsides and the
Fraser Riverhigh water
miners get fairly to work, I propose to appoint a Commissioner and Local
Collectors for those dues, as soon as fit and proper persons to fill
those offices can be found.

12. Mr William A.G. Young at present in Her Majesty's service
Young, William A.G.appointment as colonial secretary
as Secretary for the Boundary Commission is highly qualified, in every
respect, for the office of Gold Commissioner, and I should be glad to
obtain your permission to secure the services of that Gentleman.

13. I have no doubt that your Lordship will send out a body of
Troops for the service of this Colony, and the Fraser's River District.

14. The miners have applied to me for protection against the
Indians hostility to miners
natives, and when that is accorded, will have no hesitation, in
paying the Licence duty, otherwise it will be paid with reluctance.

15. They have also applied to me for negotiable orders, in
Goldescort requested
Mailpostal system requested
payment of gold delivered to Government Agents in the Mines, and
for the organization of a Postal system for the 
transmission of Letters.

16. Will you kindly give me instructions on those subjects
herein referred to.