No. 2

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 18 of the
25th of May
containing a report of a serious affray that had occurred in
the neighbourhood of Victoria between the Indians of Fort Simpson and
large bodies of the Native Tribes of Queen Charlotte Island.

I approve of the measures which you adopted for putting an end to
the affray and for dispersing the Indians, but I take this opportunity
to caution you not to bring the Military and Naval force into service on
such occasions except where they are absolutely necessary for the support
of the Civil Power, and then to bring them out in such strength as
either to compel submission without bloodshed or (if more than a
demonstration be unhappily required) to ensure immediate success, and
thus maintain the prestige which enables the presence of the Queen's
Military or Naval force to secure order and obediance to the laws.