Colonial Despatches

I arrived on the 29th Ult. from Vancouvers Island where I have been staying since I last addressed you. The Residents, as a last Effort to save the Colony, have begged of me to apply in the strongest terms to you to exert what influence you can bring to bear in their favor. Enclosed I send you such documents as they were enabled to furnish me with; the Copies of the Memorials to the Colonial Secretary, the House of Commons, and the Queen, forwarded last year, and of which you were to have been furnished with duplicates, having been in some way mislaid it was decided to place you in the best position possible, and leave it to yourself to do what you can.

On my arrival at Victoria I found that the Colonists were so disheartened at the apathy & indifference shewn by the Colonial office in re their grievances, that it required the strongest representations on my part, to induce them to make one more effort, however weak availing of your good offices; if one must die 'tis well to die doing. The feeling existing in the Colony is that the place is doomed; and there is Every probability, if matters do not mend, of a general Exodus shortly. I know of no fewer than Six families, who are preparing to leave this next Summer. Once the move commences 'twill be too late to attempt restoring Confidence by any patching compromises.

I trust that in writing you on the matter, and occupying your time, I am not taking any undue advantage of your Kind offer of services in favor of Vancouvers Island, and I sincerely hope that you may have the opportunity of doing something, however little, towards drawing the attention of the Government to that important place.

The Colonists are all delighted at the Idea of having convicts introduced and they express themselves strongly as to the benefits likely to result to the Island by such a measure.

The War is raging with unabated violence on the American Shores of the Straits of Fuca; the Farmers and their families have either been Massacred, or found to fly into the little Townships along Pugets Sound for protection. The Nisqually and Puyallup Indians (fishers) and the Klileatats & Yahemassianie Indians, are as yet the only Tribes who have openly declared war, but they are using Every effort of persuasion & intimidation to induce the adjoining Tribes to side with them, & there is I believe but little doubt as to what will be the result of their Machinations. As yet the Vancouver Island Indians are quiet & apparently uninterested, but from personal investigation and through the Agency of Indians in my pay I have become Cognisant of a State of feeling amongst them which is not to be triffled with. The progress of the war is a matter of constant discussion with them, & the as yet successful efforts of the Red Skin is viewed with Evident satisfaction. The H.B.Co have been furnishing the Americans with powder & arms, and also have tendered the use of their Steamer on various occasions; this has not Escaped the notice of the Savages and the belief is current amongst them at present, that the King George Man (The British Subject) & the Bostons (Citizens of the United States) are allies, and that the ultimate destruction of the red skin is their object. The whites on Vancouvers Island are placed in a very difficult position, a position that requires an abler man at the head of affairs than Mr Douglas—Nous Verrons!

I have been endeavouring to secure some Washington Territory Newspapers for you, but with small success. The call for Volunteers there has been so urgent that Editors and [printers] Devils have [been] forced to take up the Rifle and Bowie Knife, thus causing a cessation to the issue of "Gazette Extraordinary" the accompanying newspapers from that quarter will, though somewhat soiled [will] I trust not be unacceptable to you, and enable you to form a more correct idea of the State of affairs at the time of their issue than you can obtain by any other means.

The small bust herewith, though far from a favorable specimen of the talent of the Indian Sculptor, will suffice to give you an idea of their Ingenuity in the line; I have seen most beautiful work of this description by the Northern Indians; likenesses, so striking as to be recognised at a glance.

The fall of the Southern portion of Sebastopol was appropriately honored here by the Resident British and French; a Medal was struck on the occasion of which I forward you a specimen.

You will have noticed how successful our friend Walker is in Nicaragua, he shewed wisdom in refusing the Presidency. The sympathy for him here is very strong—by Every steamer volunteers flock to his standard, he has wealthy men at his back as you may Judge from the fact of an agent of his having, within the last few weeks endeavoured to purchase a Steamer shewing credits to the tune of $100,000.