100 The Fraser River Mines.

Perrier attempt to do anything in opposition to my decree, which I
gave after full inquiry, I shall positively have him summoned and
punished. Iam inclined, though, to suspect that his threats are nothing
but talk.

Within the last fortnight there were two boats upset between Fort
Yale and Lytton and six men drowned. I have not learned any of
their names.”

I have the honor to be,
‘ Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) C. Brew,
Chief Inspector of Police,
Ass. Chief Gold Commissioner.

W. A. G. Young, Esq., Colonial Secretary.

(Enclosure.)

Fort Yate, B.C.,
6th April, 1859.

Sir,—I have the honor to inform you that in accordance with
your instructions I left Fort Yale, accompanied by Mr. Haynes, on
Saturday, 21st Ultimo, by trail** for Lytton City. We started at
8 o’ck A.M., taking with us three Indians as packers, two of whom
carried our blankets, the third necessary provisions for themselves.
The morning was fine and, although the snow on the neighbouring
mountains was fully three feet deep, the trail was pretty good. During
this day we walked about sixteen miles and on our way passed three
“ stop-houses,” at each of which I presume the illegal sale of spirits is
carried on. Yet we had no ocular proof of such being a fact. In the
evening we arrived at the “ California House,” close to the Ferry,”? and
were detained the following morning until near 12 o’ck by a heavy fall
of snow, when the day brightened and we resumed our journey and
came to the Canon House” at 6 o’ck in the evening after a march of
fourteen miles.

(70) These frequent references to drowning accidents show that the miners underestimated
the dangers of navigation in the canyons. They were endeavoring to make their way up the
river in boats, as earlier statements in the correspondence indicate.

(71) Judge Begbie, who passed over this trail a week later, writes: ‘‘ The trail by which
we advanced was at that time, I should think, utterly impassable for any animal but a man, a
goat, or a dog.’’

(72) The ferry at Spuzzum, operated by Franklin Way, under permission from Mr. Hicks,
granted December 4, 1858. The distance from Yale to Spuzzum ferry was supposed to be about
thirteen miles; by the railway to-day it is given as less than twelve miles. All the distances in
this report are exaggerated.

(73) Near the Big Canyon.