Thrilling Details by Mr. Waddington

Daily Chronicle, May 29, 1864

Editors Daily Chronicle: - I enclose you a few details of the massacre at Bute Inlet, which I think may be of interest to your reader. In the principle situation I am placed in, I have felt it a duty, and it has been a melancholy satisfaction to me to consign to paper a few facts which have come to light concerning the deaths of the men who were engaged in carrying through the trail, and who have been ruthlessly murdered whilst honestly doing their duty. Besides, while the cause of their death has been commented upon with unfeeling and unmerited severity, which requires explanation, poor Mr. Brewster had been taxed with being unjust towards the Indians, and the men with being childishly careless and confiding. The first of these imputations I have refuted in the following communication, and as to the second, I send it back to its authors.

For the last two years I have been begging and praying the government for at least a show of protection, but in vain; nor did ever a gunboat visit Bute Inlet, though sent in every other direction. Once, when I remonstrated, and said that some of these days we should all be massacred, Col. Moody told me that he would grant no favor, and that he considered me as an enemy to the Colony; and even the Governor assured me that there was not the slightest danger, and that the Indians would not touch a hair on our heads. This was repeated so often that I almost believed it; but now that the men are murdered it is different, and we are told that they ought to have been well armed. That the men have been too confident is but too true, and I advised Mr. Brewster to take arms with him, but he refused. But if the report of too great confidence be founded, who should be the first to whisper it? Why, those or their friends who lulled us to sleep on the brink of the precipice - who persuaded us that there was no danger, and who stingily refused us that protection which had been paid for, and which we all have a right to.

I remain, yours &c.
Alfred Waddington.

Victoria, May 28, 1864