Colonial Despatches

With reference to my despatch No. 37 of the 9th September, I would venture to bring under the notice of Her Majesty's Government the Services rendered to this Colony by Lieutenant Hugh Stewart of Her Majesty's Ship "Sutlej," and Lieutenant Henry Towry Cooper of the Royal Marines. These Gentlemen accompanied me through the whole of the arduousexpedition expedition against the Chilicoten Indians and shared in all its dangers and privations.

2. Lieutenant Stewart has recently been favorably brought under the notice of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty by Rear Admiral Denman on account of his good conduct in the fight with the Indians at Clayoquet Sound, and has, I am happy to see, received, at least temporary promotion. Under these circumstances I would more especially direct attention to the great merits of Lieutenant Cooper. He was employed generally as an Officerof of the Volunteer party, and had generally the roughest work assigned to him, such as the command of the advanced guard when marching through the forests of the Chilicoten Country, where every shrub might conceal an Ambush, or else in difficult duties such as that of following the Indians to the shores of Lake Capano, where the Volunteers had to subsist for eight days upon six days rations. Though it rained during the greater part of the time and the party were under orders not to light a fire which might have revealed their presenceto to the Indians, Lieutenant Cooper evinced the utmost cheerfulness throughout, and obtained the full confidence and regard of the men who served with him.

3. If a step in promotion could be given to Mr Cooper it would afford great satisfaction to myself and to the inhabitants of this Colony with whom he is extremely popular.