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of high water mark, which seperates the river claims from the
bank diggins. Mr. Allard, myself, and two of the oldest Indians on
the river proceeded to the spot; the Indians ought to know best the
bounds of the river. It took us a day to go over the ground; it was
no interest to the Indians to deceive us, and I am sure they performed
their duty manfully, altho’ the miners swore and insulted them, to
the disgrace of white men—as they call themselves. The fact is there
are a set of men on the river who are doing their utmost to treat the
Authority with contempt, and establish the same system as in California.
I am happy to say that their are many exceptions and the general
mass of the miners are well disposed; there are many such characters
on Hill’s Bar termed the Boatmen of San Francisco who care for
no Law or order and if such men are to rule and have their own way,
others of course will follow. It is not at all likely Your Excellency
will sanction men holding a larger claim than is allowed by Law, if
they do they will run back into Canada in time.”

Mr. Kirby having returned from Victoria handed me your Letter,
and another I received this morning dated Oct. 13th by Mr. Kitson
who came up with a boatload of Flour for Mr. Allard.2®> I will have
the accounts ready by tomorrow and forward for your inspection.
I would have done so sooner; the only reason is the want of accommo-
dation for carrying on my duties. I shall in two weeks have my office
ready, now you approve of the plan, and of the amount to be expended
in its completion; after I get into my office I will forward Your
Excellency a monthly account on the first of each of the month.
I assure you I have little rest or time for myself. I am early and
late at my post, and altho’ Your Excellency intimates that parties
complain of my public and private conduct, I am at all times ready to
answer any charge that can be brought against me.*¢

All your wishes shall be complied with in every respect intimated
in your kind favors. With the greatest respect,

I am, Your Excellency’s
Most Obt. Hble. Servt.

Ricwarp Hicxs.
Fort Yale, Oct. 26th, 1858.

(24) See note (14), ante. The lengthy resolutions of the Hill’s Bar miners passed at a
meeting held in ‘‘the saloon of Mr. Patrick Martin” are published in the Victoria Gazette,
November 6, 1858. They characterize Mr. Hicks as ‘‘an unscrupulous man, as well as a corrupt
public officer, and altogether unfit and unworthy the position he now holds’, and ask for his
removal. Part of the trouble was caused by the conflict between the laws they had themselves
established, with, as they claim, the Goyernor’s approval, and the general laws that he had later
promulgated.

(25) Ovid Allard, the Hudson’s Bay Company’s agent at Yale.

(26) These complaints continued to be Made until the Governor dismissed Mr. Hicks on
February 8, 1859. See Mr. Brew’s letter, under date February 20, 1859, post.

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