Cae A SSE Te eee

56 The Fraser River Mines.

a

ment of Royal Engineers under Captain Grant, and to proceed on in
the steamer “ Enterprise” to Langley to bring up the Detachment of
Royal Marines with the Field-piece party of Seamen. In accordance
with my detailed orders to Captn. Grant, the Detachment arrived this
morning after a trying night advance by batteaux and marching.
Mr. Brew accompanied the Party and also 12 special constables headed
by Messrs. Ogilvy and Macdonald, of whose zeal and ability (especially
Mr. Ogilvy’s) I cannot speak too highly. There was some little excite-
ment on their arrival, but the feeling generally in this town was of
the best description, and summonses have been duly served at Hill’s
Bar on McGowan and Kelly, who are to appear here the day after
to-morrow.°*

I am very much afraid, however, they will be able to shelter them-
selves behind Mr. Perrier’s authority, he having sworn them in as
Special constables on the occasion.

The troops are in excellent health and spirits. I shall have the
honour of addressing your Excellency more particularly on a future
occasion and report the arrangements I now propose to make in respect
to the troops.

I have the honour to be,
Yr Most Obedient humble Servant,

(Sgd.) R. L. Moopy,
His Excellency the Governor. Lt-Gov.

Fort YALE,®?
31st December, 1858.
His Excellency James Douglas, Esqutre,
Governor, etc., British Columbia.

Sir,—I have the honor to inform your Excellency that on the
24th inst. one William Foster, a notorious character and gambler,
shot one Bernard Rice, a miner, in open daylight and has absconded.
I have used every precaution and exerted every possible means in my
power to capture the criminal, but to no purpose as yet. He has been
hidden by his associates here as well as on Hill’s Bar, among whom is
that notorious villain, Edward McGowan.

I have closed up all the Gambling Saloons, appointed three men on
the Police Forse, and taken on several special constables on pay, as I
could not arrange otherwise, and a large force is absolutely necessary
here at the present crisis.

(88) This short report from Colonel Moody adds but little to the full account of Judge Begbie.

(89) This is the historic letter that ‘‘ set the heather on fire.’? It has never before been
published.