Colonial Despatches

The ordinary passenger Steamer on the Upper Fraser called at Alexandria a few hours after I emerged from the Chilicoten Country, but my appearance was such, that I did not think it proper for me to go on board. The following day she was specially sent down to convey me to Quesnel Mouth. I mention this circumstance as this unavoidably egotistical despatchwill will be confined to the manifestations of loyalty which were bestowed on me as the representative of the Imperial Government during my recent visit to the Gold Mines. It was the first time that a Governor had been seen in the Upper Country.

2. Not satisfied with gratuitously furnishing me with a special conveyance, the Directors of the Company invited the principal inhabitants of Quesnel Mouth to accompany me in the Voyage. A public dinner followed by the usual loyal toasts, was served on board, and according to an American Custom, "free drinks" to the number of the guns in the Salute I was to receive onlanding landing, were bestowed at the Bar. That is to say, the quests were at liberty to call for seventeen glasses of any thing they pleased, free of charge.

3. At Quesnel Mouth I was met by, I believe, the whole population with much cheering and a Royal Salute of twenty one guns. On the following morning the principal inhabitants called on me. The enclosed address was presented and replied to. I was then invited to name the first white child born in the town.

4. I started in the afternoon of the 30th of July for Williams Creek, Cariboo. At Captain Evans' claim, the first gold mine inactive active operation, the miners turned out and gave me a Royal Salute. On arrival at Williams Creek, though it was raining hard, a salute was fired, and several hundred persons cheered me so loud at the Magistrate's residence, that I had to come into the Street to thank them.

5. On Tuesday the 2nd August an invitation was given to me to see the Aurora claim "wash up." I was too late to see this operation, but the pan of gold just washed, weighing 450 ounces, was placed before me and I was invited to take any lumps I pleased. Being lowered down the shaft I found a good "lead" kept open for me, and I washed a panI I filled, and got upwards of three ounces of Gold. The miners insisted that I should carry away the proceeds of my pan, and I was told by the Magistrate that any offer of payment would be badly received. The high price of Wines and Spirits in Richfield, however enabled me without difficulty to return, without hurting the Miners' feelings, nearly an equivalent for the Gold I accepted.

6. At night a serenade was given to me by about fifteen, gentlemen, headed by the Member of Council for Cariboo West.

7. On the 4th I accepted similar invitations to wash pans of "paydirt dirt" in the Ericson and Caledonia claims and with even greater success than in the Aurora. I had to retain the Gold procured by myself, but declined the many other valuable specimens offered to me during the course of the day.

8. In the Evening I was entertained at dinner by the Miners at the New French Hotel. The Member for Cariboo West presided, the Judge, Magistrates, and Clergy, were invited. The dinner, which must have cost an enormous sum where ordinary Champagne sells at fifty shillings a bottle, was excellent. The hosts though indulging in every latitude of costume were perfectly well bred,and and I was glad to find that my presence was no restraint upon the hilarity of the Evening. The toast of my health was received with a greater amount of warmth than I have anywhere else been honored with.

9. I enclose copy of an Address presented to me by the Mining Board of Cariboo and of my reply. On the 5th I left Richfield. On the 6th I received a public dinner from the inhabitants of Quesnel Mouth. On the 7th I was escorted to the Steamer by most of the gentlemen of the town and embarked under a Salute.

10. There is no place of importanceon on the Road to New Westminster, until Clinton is reached. The inhabitants of that pretty village fired a salute on my arrival. At Lytton the usual number of guns were given and fireworks let off during the greater part of the night. The same at Boston Bar, and I left Yale under two salutes from the North and South ends of the town. The same marks of respect attended my departure from Hope and arrival in New Westminster.

11. If the white people were loyal in their demonstrations, Her Majesty's Indian Subjects were by no means behind them. The Salmon Season had attracted thousands of themto to the Fraser, but the fishing was neglected for the opportunity of making acquaintance with, or seeing again, the Supreme Chief. It might be that the Chilicolten War, as it is considered by all the native tribes, made them the more anxious to show that all Indians are not disloyal. Be that as it may there was the utmost respect shown to me by all the Natives and the few kind words and trifling presents of tobacco which I bestowed in return seemed full compensation for the loss of time and of fish caused by visiting the Chief. I have invited all to meet me at New Westminster on Her Majesty's next birthday.

12. I shall in other despatches notice several matters of importance with which I became acquainted on my late travels through the interior.