Colonial Despatches

I venture on the liberty of writing a few private and confidential lines to say that my first and second interviews with Governor Douglas are full of promise the most satisfactory. I have entirely disarmed him, of all jealousy and neutralized any little mischevious attempt to introduce a wedge between us. He clearly understands that I have had the honour to be selected and placed at his disposal by you to aid and assist in every way not only in command of troops & Surveys andworks works but in any other way he may be disposed to think my Counsels and Services may be of value to him. I have assured him I understand my instructions to be that I am entirely under his orders and that he will find me support him loyally, that where I may venture to offer him an opinion and even to urge it when Such opinon may entirely differ from his own it will be urged in a spirit of duty to himself & not of opposition, that when such opinion of mine may be rejected by him, he will find me carry out his instructions as cordially in every respect as if they had originated with myself. We gave each other a grip of the hand most significant of the understanding between us, & my prayer to God is for grace and wisdom to do my duty heartily always and cheerfully in a spirit which you will I trust approve of to the last. I will do nothing "by halves."

It will of course be most desirable that all my opinions should be recorded and also I think that you should know them.

I am anxious you should be made aware early of the following points that will most probably come before you in an official form from the Governor before long. Perhaps he has already submitted some of them to you.

The immediate necessity for a Mint, and Assay office. For want of a Mint the Colony is losing a very large annual amount of wealth. This will be explained—4 per cent on all gold raised is lost at all events.

The raising a large Mounted Police force and that it is probable regular Forces will not be immediately required.

The reconsideration of the site of the principal town on the Fraser. I believe the Governor has not committed himself to the adoption of Langley, but I fear I shall have the misfortune to differ as to the site. He may give way and I trust my reason will bring about that happy result.

The grave importance of the British obtaining Point Roberts. Captain Prevost of the Satellite and Col. Hawkins R.E. do not at all attach the same importance that I do to this matter and I may be wrong, but I would beg you to obtain an opinion from Sir John Burgoyne 1 and from some other experienced General after I shall have written, an explanatory private letter to Sir John Burgoyne. This question is one out of my province, but still perhaps I ought not to withhold my opinion on the subject, as it certainly does affect the future defence of B. Columbia and I cannot but think in a very material degree.

Sir John will however give you a most valuable opinion, after I shall have sent him a Military Report.

The Mail is just leaving and I must conclude in haste.

I am thankful to say my family have borne the journey well and we are all most cheerful.

It was an auspicious event arriving on Christmas Day with Peace & Goodwill in our hearts towardevery/ everybody. Captain Parsons has just come in from Langley. All well, and working hard. Gold abundant.