Hudson's Bay House
April 3rd 1852
Sir,
On the 26th Ultimo I had the honour of addressing a letter to you, enclosing a Copy of a Report on the subject of the gold mine discovered in Queen Charlotte's Island, and requesting an interview, to which I have not yet had an answer.
Since then I have received a letter from Mr Ballenden, the officer in charge at Fort Vancouver on the Columbia River, of which I enclose an Extract, from which you will percieve that the discovery had occasioned great excitement among the American population in that quarter who were making preparations for a descent on the Island.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedt humble Servant
J.H. Pelly

The Rt Honble Sir John Pakington
&. &. &c
Minutes by CO staff
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ABd 3 April/52
Lord Desart
This seems to require immediate notice. I annex the draft answer to Sir J. Pelly's former letter, with proposed addition.
HM Ap. 3
Send the answer as amended.
D 3
JSP 6
Documents enclosed with the main document (not transcribed)
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Extract, Ballenden to Barclay, Hudson's Bay Company, 3 February 1852, describing the excitement caused in Oregon by the discovery of gold in Queen Charlotte Island and efforts to recruit one hundred armed men to proceed to the island.