Judge Begbie. 27

the honour of preferring him to Capt. Whannell, alleges his reason to
be because he prefers dealing with a knave rather than a fool. In
particular, however, it appears to me that Mr. Hicks has been probably
exceeding any reasonable limits in granting and recording rights of
pre-emption and water privileges—having granted, I am informed, to
one individual the exclusive water privilege of no less than 7 streams
wch run into the Fraser between Hope and Yale.”

With Mr. Perrier Coll. Moody and myself could not help being
to some extent pleased. He admitted that he had committed a very
gross error: but pleaded very strong provocation, wch he certainly
received, according to his own story. This, however, I must wholly
reserve until the other side be heard. The very long delay has, I hope,
not altogether been suffered to lie idle. The bed of the river and every
possible shoal has been exposed to the observation of Coll. Moody
and Captn. Grant in its very lowest state, under the advantage also of
the remarks of Captn. Wright, of the “Enterprise,” who has person-
ally made our voyage most agreeable. We have had a good deal of
conversation with miners, etc., and have had occasion from the expres-
sion of their wants to consider what general measures might be framed:
wch we shall have the pleasure of submitting for your approval on our
return.

As I really think it would be for the public service that I shod
return immediately to Victoria, and it may be impossible to return again
in time for the first Sessions or circuit wch ought to be held, according
to the Genl. orders of the 27th Decr,”* on the last Monday of this
month, I have issued another order as of this date, postponing this
circuit until the last Monday of February. I hope you will excuse me
if I ask you to cause Mr. Pearkes®? to be informed of this change.

Believe me
Yours very truly

Matt. B. Becsiz.

I am extremely glad to hear of Mr. Brew’s arrival with his
reinforcements. They will be more use than the Marines,?* I hope.

(20) See note (17) on Hicks’s correspondence.
(21) Those General Orders were not dated. See them in Governor Douglas’s Proclamations,
age 21.

ar (22) George Pearkes, the Crown solicitor of Vancouver Island.

(23) Chartres Brew, of the Irish Constabulary and who had served with distinction in the
Crimean War, had been appointed by Sir E. B. Lytton to organize the police force of British
Columbia. He reached Victoria on November 8, 1858. Governor Douglas, writing on January 8,
1859, to Sir E. B. Lytton, said: ‘‘I shall immediately despatch a force of 50 Marines and a body
of Police, under Mr. Brew’s command, to reinforce Colonel Moody’s party ’’. Some of his corre-
spondence while resident at Yale is reproduced in this volume. He was a member of the first Legis-
lative Council of British Columbia; filled many government positions; and died in harness in
Cariboo.