Elwyn to The Colonial Secretary of Vancouver Island

British Columbia
William's Lake
27th January 1863

The Colonial Secretary
Victoria V.I.

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 26th Nov. last in reply to a communication of the 30th.

It is greatly to be regretted that so much capital should remain useless until the spring, such however must be the case.

I have to report that the small pox is raging fearfully amongst the Indians at this place. Over sixty men, women & children of this tribe have already fallen victims to the terrible disease.

The propriety or otherwise of extending to these poor creatures some slight Government relief has been the cause of great anxiety, but I felt that in the face of disallowances which already reach a very heavy sum, I could not take the responsibility of such a slip.

I cannot refrain from expressing a hope that His Excellency will kindly consent to my being relieved of my present duties at the earliest convenience of the government.

I have the honour to be
Sir
Your most obed. serv.
T. Elwyn [two illegible words]