The facts on investigation differing materially from those first furnished by rumor, and being calculated to correct erroneous impressions under which the principal actor, Mr. James, now suffers, it is but just to that gentleman that the following plain statement should be known. I will merely premise by saying that this is the case as it was told by the survivors and their squaws, who were the only witnesses of the transaction, and was obtained by me from their own mouths.

On the night of the occurrence they were having a jolly time over a jug of whiskey, and making such a row that all game in the neighborhood must have been scared away. Mr. James, who was hunting by torchlight, went to their lodge to remonstrate and if possible to persuade them to be quiet. They said they came out to him, but of the talk between them they could give no coherent account – being probably drunk at the time; they admitted that the deceased Indian commenced the attack on Mr. James; seized him by the throat, and had a short and severe struggle with him – he released himself by striking that one on the head with his hunting knife, and got away from them by giving one a severe wound in the arm and the other a slight one on the breast. This is their story.

The two survivors say that they were quite close at the commencement of the fight, but do not own to any share in it. Notwithstanding they acknowledged to Mr. James and a number of by-standers (Capt. Powell and myself being interpreters) that they were the aggressors, and hoped that we would entertain no hard feelings against them, as they had previously been put up to do something of the kind by white men, but had no intentions of doing so, and would not if they had been sober. They also said that several white men, in and around Muckwa, had been since persuading them to shoot Mr. James and Dr. Linde – which they would not do, as these same men would be the first to have them hung when they found out how little Mr. James was to blame.

The Indian who died was a powerful and dangerous fellow, as all know who knew him at all, and of a temper whose ugliness was not at all mitigated by liquor.

Of the others, one is now hunting, and the other soon will be, as he is rapidly recovering, and in no danger of loosing his arm as was represented.

It is well enough to state that Mr. James supplied them with immediate medical aid, &c., and after telling the truth, so far as their condition at the time enabled them to recollect it, gave them a liberal supply of provision and clothing for their journey home.

Dr. Linde’s name has been unpleasantly dragged into this transaction, although it is not pretended that he knew anything about it until he was called upon to use his surgical skill for the benefit of the sufferers. – The feeling against him is explainable by the fact that he has constantly tried to prevent the Indians from ruining themselves with liquor, having had traders indicted for selling it to them. That is his crime.

By publishing the above you will subserve the cause of justice, and oblige

Yours Respectfully,