Colonial Despatches

Immediately after the receipt of your despatches of the 27th December and the 8th January last reporting the disturbances that had taken place at Fort Yale and the measures which you so successfully adopted for putting them down I conferred with the proper authority in Ireland with the view of ascertaining whether and how your requisition for a detachment of the Irish Constabulary Force could be complied with. I have now the honor to forward to you the copy of a letter from Lord Naas, with an enclosure from the Chief Inspector of the Constabulary, from which you will see that it is impracticable to meet your wishes without first obtaining from youspecific specific answers on the various points of detail which are mentioned in Sir H. Brownrigg's letter as defective in your despatches. In forwarding this communication I must state in perfect frankness that it is totally impossible for Her Majesty's Government to undertake the expense, partially or otherwise, which this proposed Police Force would entail.

I could not reconcile it to my sense of duty, nor indeed would it be consistent with the spiritof of my repeated despatches to you, to appeal to the House of Commons for the establishment of a Police Force in a Colony where a large revenue may be confidently anticipated, and into which a great population is rapidly flowing. From that population you must derive the means of maintaining the peace of the Country. I would remind you that by that proceeding a habit of self reliance will be engendered which would be seriously impaired, if when disturbances ariseand and they cannot but be expected to occur occasionally in a Colony composed of persons drawn from so many different Nations, you have recourse to Imperial assistance. With respect to this particular disturbance, if so it can be called, at Fort Yale, I entertain a strong impression that if, when the Police failed in the performance of their duty, Volunteers had been called for there would have been found no deficiency of zeal, or offers of Serviceon on their part. Certainly if the Inhabitants of British Columbia find it easier and cheaper to employ others to protect them, Her Majesty's Government will by no means object provided the colonists recognize the principle that they must pay for the expense. But I must repeat to you that before any such expenses are incurred it is incumbent on you as Governor of the Colony to redeem the obligations already owing to this Country. Her Majesty's Government arepledged pledged in my various despatches to this, and I am constrained to insist upon the punctual fulfilment of the pledge.

I enclose the copy of an Account, which I have received from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury shewing some of the primary charges incurred for Colonel Moody's party of Engineers.