Annual letter Received 19 May 1869
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[1] Annual letter
[2] Kincolith Station
[3] To be posted before or on 16th of December 1868
[4] Reverend and dear sirs
[5] A year has elapsed since dear brother
[6] Doolans return. During this period notwithstanding the very great
[7] blow that is departure gave the infant mission and other still
[8] {???} severe strokes that have since followed. I can say with
[9] humble thankfulness that the good hand of our God has prospered
[10] us. You will see from the statistical section that the number
[11] of settlers is now 56 being an increase of 20 since this time
[12] last year. Nor is this a complete This includes only the actual settlers
[13] at the present time and takes no account of those relations of the
[14] settlers who consider themselves as belonging to the station and
[15] are only waiting for their relatives to complete their houses to
[16] come and settle permanently. In one point Kincolith will
[17] always differ from Metlakatla. Whereas Metlakatla is situated
[18] on a sheltered bay on the coast. Kincolith lies out the entrance
[19] of the Nass River and all the traffic on that river must
[20] affect it. Moreover during the winter it is only the only place at
[21] which canoes and other small craft can get shelter. Hence it
[22] is that in addition to the regular settlers there are almost
[23] always one or more families temporarily staying there.
[24] The progress in building has also been satisfactory.
[25] The schoolhouse, the foundations of which were laid this month
[26] last year is now ready for roofing and would have been
[27] furnished before this had I not been called to take
[28] temporary charge of the station (Metlakatla). The
[29] mission premises have been improved. We have now a
[30] comfortable goat in her house. A good shed
[31] likewise. and are in an inclosed yard. The last is a great
[32] advantage as both the goats and fowls had suffered
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[1] from attacks made by dogs. Last year was but
[2] one house exclusive to the mission house at present there
[3] are additional houses in course of erection. all of them good
[4] substantial houses and neatly arranged in line to present
[5] a very good appearance from the entrance of the river.
[6] The general conduct of the settlers has been very satisfactory
[7] throughout the year. They show the greater anxiety to learn
[8] what is good and in every case where I had to reprove
[9] one or more for anything the sense of the others generally has
[10] always been against what is wrong. That It is apparent
[11] to those still living at the heathen villages that the quiet
[12] Christian mode of living is preferable to their own manner
[13] that very many are desirous to join us but there are two
[14] influences brought to bear upon them to prevent them from
[15] carrying their desires into affect. The medicine men seeing
[16] that their power is fast slipping away and knowing that
[17] they will not be allowed to practice this diabolical rites
[18] among the settlers at the mission station having lost moreover
[19] most of their influence over the men themselves still keep
[20] up an indirect influence through their wives and sisters
[21] for women especially the older ones are still very
[22] superstitious. as an example of the power of this influence
[23] I may mention the case of Neash who last winter married
[24] a girl or a good character something her tribe as one who
[25] never would join in the immoral practices as {???}.
[26] Previous previous to his marriage he had been settled at Kincolith
[27] and always showed much anxiety to learn as well as
[28] ability in learning and what is better still had put in
[29] practice what he had learned. After his marriage he wished
[30] to return and bring his wife with him that she too
[31] could learn what is good. His wife was willing enough to
[32] go with him but her mother would not hear of it after
[33] several months endeavouring to overcome their objection
[34] he has it last left his wife and came alone
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[1] There is another class of persons were opposed to the mission
[2] settlement persons who hold their position by the fear they have
[3] imposed by the enormity of their wickedness. Such persons well
[4] know that their position would be altogether altered were they
[5] to reside at a mission settlement. moreover should many of their
[6] tribes join the mission it would destroy much of their pleasure
[7] and {???} for drunken revels and distributions of property
[8] could not be carried on in the same scale as heretofore.
[9] Notwithstanding their influence and the loss by
[10] death our number has increased. it is likewise
[11] a source of thankfulness that through the infant mission
[12] while still so immature and weak was left without
[13] any teaching except so far as my actions could have
[14] only two of the settlers forsook us and returned to their
[15] previous mode of life
[16] The average attendance at morning and evening
[17] school during the winter months what is morning 15
[18] evening 14. The attention and anxiety to learn increased
[19] daily and most days their conduct during school would
[20] contrast very favourably to the conduct of pupils at
[21] home who have so many advantages.
[22] On 30 March I left Kincolith and after
[23] a very prosperous and pleasant journey arrived at
[24] Victoria on April 18th. In less than a week from
[25] my arrival my marriage to Miss A Woods was
[26] solemnized. Four days later accompanied by my
[27] dear wife we started on our return. During the journey
[28] my crew {???} with each other in the making every thing
[29] as pleasant and comfortable for Mrs. Tomlinson as possible.
[30] Mrs. Tomlinson‘s family and friends were very anxious
[31] for us to remain at least a few weeks at Victoria after
[32] our marriage. but they but my mind was much too anxious
[33] about my people as {???} to their {???}.
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[1] This anxiety arose from the fact that 2 trading vessels
[2] had arrived at Nass River and from what I knew of them I
[3] had a little doubt that they they purposed trading whiskey. were
[4] my fears groundless. The very day we left Victoria the barbarians
[5] murder ({???} see my diary notes) was perpetrated.
[6] Our arrival at this critical time was most providential
[7] and I feel grateful to God for giving me strength to turn a deaf
[8] ear to the solicitations of my friends. Just before our arrival
[9] the measles had broken out among the tribes along the coast.
[10] Notwithstanding the impossibility of treatment many of the cases
[11] as I could have wished to God gave his blessing or the means
[12] need and the number of deaths when compared with the
[13] number of persons attacked is very small. When the measles
[14] was at its height we had a visit from Rear Admiral Hastings
[15] in H.M.S. Sparrowhawk and he expressed his warm
[16] attachment to the mission. Regretting that he could not then
[17] interfere to have been the murderers punished as he was only on tour
[18] of inspection but said he would lay the math matter before the
[19] Colonial government. The Admiral kept his promise. but
[20] the Colonial Government has not yet done anything. The
[21] consequences is that all traffic among the tribes is at a stand
[22] still. On one occasion a body of warriors from one of the
[23] Tchimshean tribes at Fort Simpson {assayed?} to make a night
[24] attack on the Nishkahs, but when they were about half way
[25] up the river their hearts failed them and they there were returning
[26] when they met one my men. To him they made out a long
[27] story of how they had murdered several of our people that morning
[28] and all the Nishkahs up the river had run away. This report
[29] caused the greatest anxiety among my people. Feeling it
[30] to be my duty to be to interfere I did so and by suddenly disarming
[31] some of the Tchimsheans compelled them to listen and to carry
[32] out my wishes. Thus peace was preserved but still the Nishkahs
[33] are kept in a constant fever of excitement but that tribe should
[34] make a second attack in larger numbers of canoes. My people
[35] share their fears to some extent. All this musings sprung from
[36] whiskey trading. I would therefore earnestly beseech you Rev and
[37] dear sirs to but remember at the {???} of grace your humble minister
[38] and his wife. that we may have the grace and strength for our day
[39] and that He who orders all things may bring good out of every kind
[40] make even the wealth of man to praise him Yours Very Sincerely
[41] Robert Tomlinson
