Colonial Despatches

I have the honor to report my return yesterday to Victoria from the visits to some places on the Coast which I informed Your Lordship in my last Despatch that it was my intention to make in Her Majesty's Ship "Sparrowhawk."

2. As I had hoped, Iwas was successful in settling the disputes at Knights Inlet between the Indian Tribe and the persons concerned in the Copper mine. The Indians on hearing of the approach of the Ship restored certain sacks of ore which they had detained. The Chiefs of the Tribe came on board and expressed their regret for the opposition which they had made to the working of the mine, and theirwillingness willingness that any white men who chose should now come to the neighbourhood for that purpose. I have reason to think that in the first instance their objections arose from their belief that the ore which was taken from the "lead" contained gold, which they desired to retain for themselves, or regarded as deserving compensation for the land. But, one of the parties interested in the mining equipment was present atmy my interview with the Chiefs, and expressed his satisfaction at the understanding with the Indians and the promises which they now gave, upon which I consented to pardon the offence of which they had been guilty in obstructing the mining party in the prosecution of their innocent undertaking. At the same time I impressed upon the white settlers the importance of good faith in their dealings with the Indians, and ofabstaining abstaining from any injury to their salmon fisheries with regard to which they are solicitous. I think that this matter is satisfactorily settled and I do not apprehend any further difficulty.

3. On my return from Knight's Inlet I visited the agricultural district of Comox, Nanaimo, which is the Coal mining centre, and the District of Cowichan which though inferior to Comox,is is still capable of becoming a very important agricultural region. I have indeed been agreeably surprised by what I have seen of Vancouver Island in this respect. At all these places substantial comfort may be witnessed easily rewarding honest industry, and in some cases remarkable success has been the result of only a few years of labor. Comox presents peculiar advantages for agriculture; is being rapidly occupied; and cannot failto to become a populous and prosperous part of the Colony.

4. I enclose copies of Addresses which were presented to me at Nanaimo and Cowichan and of the replies which I made to them. The settlers at Comox are more scattered than in other places and it was stated to me apologetically that as my visit was somewhat unexpected, time had not been afforded to prepare an address for presentation.