Colonial Despatches

With reference to my despatches noted in the Margin I have the honor to state that the Chilicoten Chiefs and , with three of their followers, who had taken an active part in the late massacres of white men, were executed in the village of Quesnel Mouth on Wednesday the 26th of October, at 7th o'clock in theMorning Morning. The High Sheriff informs me that there were "about 250 present, all of whom were well conducted and the whole proceeding was marked by a proper sense of order and decorum."

2. The Murderers had been tried in the most formal manner and the Judge's minutes considered by me in Council. The Evidence against the prisoners was conclusive. Though defended by Counsel they acknowledged their guilt. The Judge asked what their law was against Murderers. They said, "Death." I directed that should be allowed to hang himself, in accordance withthe the wishes he had expressed when giving himself up, but at the last moment he preferred to die like the others. A Minister of religion attended the Murderer's during the last few days of their life. They admitted the justice of the sentence passed on them and died with the utmost calmness.

3. On the scaffold , an old man, addressed the Alexandria Indians who were present. He said his last prayer was that they would make peace with the Chilicotens and urge them to cease fighting with their native neighboursand and the whites.

4. I had requested Mr Justice Begbie to enquire of why he gave himself up. The Judge visited the prisoners after sentence had been pronounced and put the question. It appears that had some hope that I was still with the Volunteer forces, and probably the protection I afforded led him to hope for some mercy. But he admitted that his case was desperate. He had no flour. He could not hunt. He had no fish. He could not light a fire.

5. Two of the prisoners thoughstated stated by to be murderers were acquitted. Another effected his escape while on his way to New Westminster for trial.

6. The calamities growing out of the massacre at Bute Inlet and the subsequent rebellion are not over yet. Unfortunately for himself and people , the Chief who commands the Chilicotens from the summit of the Cascade Range to near Benshee Lake, did not give in his submission until the fish and fruit season was over. Our Volunteers did their work well, and now 's followers,men men, women, and Children are reported to be starving. I enclose a correspondence which has passed between Rear Admiral Denman and myself on the subject. You will observe that I am sending up flour to feed our late enemies.

7. Mr Ogilvy the Gentleman I am despatching on this mission possesses an intimate knowledge of Indian Character, and has, I believe, Indian blood in his veins. He was second in command of Mr Cox's force after the death of Mr McLean. He thinks the step I am now taking will have a most beneficialeffect effect on the mind of the natives.

8. I may mention in this, the closing despatch I sincerely trust, on the subject of the massacres that I am, on the advice of the Executive Council, presenting to Mr Brew and Mr Cox respectively, handsome pieces of plate, of considerable intrinsic worth, as a recognition of their Services in the suppression of the late insurrection.