Colonial Despatches

In continuation of my despatch of the 21st May No 16, I have the honor to acquaint Your Grace that with the assistance afforded by Commodore Spencer, the Senior Naval Officer at Vancouver's Island, the active operations described inthat that Despatch for seeking out and bringing to justice the Indian Criminals have been very closely, and I am thankful to say successfully followed up.

2. An expedition, under the Command of Commander Hardinge, of Her Majesty's Ship Cameleon, to aid the civil power was detached to the Coast, and eventually succeeded in capturing all but one of the principal Criminals.

3. A Copy of CommanderHardinge's Hardinge's Report of Proceedings is forwarded herewith for Your Grace's information.

4. The accused Indians were tried at the Assizes held on the 17h day of June 1863, and a conviction obtained against five of them.
Ul-whan-uck - For the Murder of one Marks and his
Daughter.
Qual-a-tutlm -
Ot-cha-wun - For the Murder of one Charles Glyddon
Sha-na-sa-luk -
Shil-o-weet - For Manslaughter The last named was indicted for the murder of a white man,name name unknown, about 5 years ago. He admitted the truth of the evidence as to the killing, but stated that one Pallrick, since killed by Indians, was the instigator of the deed, and that it was only when Pallrick was being worsted by the white man that he had gone to his assistance. Even then it would seem that the unfortunate victim would have overcome both his assailants, had not the wife of Pallrick seized an Axe with which shestruck struck the white man in the back, and disabled him. He was then stabbed by Shil-o-weet. Shil-o-weet has been sentenced to Four years imprisonment with hard labor. He is an old man and may not live to serve out the term.

5. The other four Indians convicted of the Capital crime were sentenced to death, and were hanged this morning at 7 O'Clock in front of the Police Barracks at Victoria.

6. These prompt and vigorous measures were necessary to address an apparently increasing mania amongst certain Tribes of Indians to become great and noted by the commission of crime. I am satisfied that the whole proceedings from first to last will not only tend to uproot such evil passions, but will materially conduce to the future safety of the white population, whether scattered in settlement around, or passing in solitary journeyalong along the Coast.