THE NORTH-WEST REBELLIONS
CHAPTER III
RIEL BLOCKS THE WAY
I accompanied Colonel Dennis's party, and arrived in the territory in
July, 1869. We journeyed through the United States by rail to St. Paul,
then a small American frontier town on the Mississippi. The place has
since grown to a large city of 120,000 inhabitants, and has a rival near
by, in Minneapolis, with a population almost equal to that of St. Paul.
At St. Cloud we purchased horses and waggons to convey us across the
prairie, four hundred and fifty miles north to Winnipeg. This route by
trail had now become the chief highway from the railway terminus on the
Mississippi to the Hudson's Bay Territory, and at St. Paul hundreds of
Red River carts were assembled to convey stores and supplies into the
interior. These carts were of native manufacture, constructed entirely
without iron, the transport of such heavy material being too costly for
so long an inland carriage to admit of its use. The harness consisted of
what is called "shagannappi," being the raw hide of the buffalo dressed
for the purpose. The term "shagannappi" came to be applied by the new
settlers to everything in connection with a Red River outfit. The
journey was a long monotonous one, over a level, treeless prairie, with
no habitations, until we reached the small frontier village of Pembina,
at the boundary between the two countries. After crossing the boundary
line we came to the Hudson's Bay post of Pembina, and a few miles
further we reached what appeared to be an old settled country. The
changed aspect of things was very marked, and one could not help being
impressed by it, in coming upon a comparatively well-cultivated
settlement in the heart of an immense region which for two centuries had
so little communication with the outer world.
The principal fort, or depot, of the Hudson's Bay Company was Fort
Garry, now the site of the flourishing city of Winnipeg. It was situated
at the junction of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers. The Red River, which
is navigable for about 400 miles, takes its rise in American territory,
and flows northward, through Lake Winnipeg, to Hudson's Bay. The
Assiniboine, also navigable, empties into the Red River, about thirty
miles from Lake Winnipeg, rising in the western Canadian territory. For
a time the English Government maintained troops at Fort Garry, and some
of the rifles, ammunition and stores were retained when the last
detachment left. Another principal station of the Hudson's Bay Company
is York Factory, on the Hudson's Bay, the port through which all the
supplies were conveyed to the interior and from which furs were exported
to England. The fur that was trapped and purchased in the interior
generally took two and sometimes three, years before it found its way to
a market in Europe, the extensive inland carriage being tedious and
uncertain. There are many other posts of the Hudson's Bay Company which
are still much isolated, such as the posts on the Mackenzie and Yukon
rivers, and other points close to the shores of the Arctic Ocean, which
are as remote from civilization as in times gone by.
The hardships the employees of the Company had to suffer may be
imagined when we state that a year's rations for an officer was one bag
of flour, while the men got none, and what is generally considered as
necessaries of life they had to do without. Fish, cariboo and wild fowl
are the chief articles of diet at these remote posts.
Sir George Simpson was a notable character in the history of the
country, and for forty years subsequent to 1821 governed it for the
Hudson's Bay Company with ability and discretion. The Hudson's Bay
officer who occupied the position of the Governor of the Territory in
1869 was Mr. Win. McTavish. He was unfortunately prostrated with illness
at the time the difficulties arose over the transfer of the country, or
he might have wielded a greater influence than he did.
When the surveying party arrived, the first thing done was to send the
horses down to Point du Chene and leave them with those of Mr. Snow, the
overseer of the construction of the road before referred to. Some of the
party were struck with the beauty of the country in that neighbourhood,
and determined upon taking up land. Then and there they selected a tract
and staked it out for future occupation. This gave rise to jealousy on
the part of the half-breeds in the neighbourhood, who watched their
proceedings; and Riel, as it turned out, followed us down to ascertain
what our movements were likely to be. It was not difficult for him to
persuade the half-breeds that this act was hostile to their interests,
and they assembled to intercept us on our way. Riel, who came with the
half-breeds as their spokesman, warned our party that they must not
survey the land or take possession of any of it. The words of his
argument I have forgotten, but the gist of it was to the effect that the
country was theirs, and that we had no right to it and must not survey
it. We informed him that we were only employees of the Canadian
Government and had no control over our movements. There was no show of
violence or hostility in this demonstration, and it did not strike us as
being of importance at the time. It was, however, the first scene in the
drama that was about to be enacted; and I have no doubt gave the idea to
the half-breeds of acting in a similar manner, which resulted in what is
known as the "stake claims." The party left their horses and returned to
Winnipeg, where Colonel Dennis organized a surveying party, with Red
River carts and ponies as transport, then returned to Pembina and went
west along the boundary line for about ten miles. Under the
superintendence of Colonel Dennis, assisted by Mil¤er Hart, now
inspector of surveys for the North-West, we there commenced to run the
principal meridian line straight north, upon which the future surveys
were to be based.
We were now out upon the open prairie, far removed from any society,
and had no opportunity of knowing what was going on in the settlements.
We ran our meridian line north as far as Shoal Lake, on the east side of
Lake Manitoba. Further proceedings were stopped by winter, which came
upon us suddenly. We read in the papers, which occasionally came to
hand, that the Hon. Mr. Macdougall had been appointed the first Gover-
nor of the North-West Territory, and was on his way up. We also learned
that Major Webb, another surveyor, had been interfered with by Riel and
some half-breeds in his surveys, and, awaiting orders, had abandoned
them. Mr. Webb bad apparently been infringing upon the outside two mile
limit which was claimed as hay privilege, and he thought it prudent to
desist.
Colonel Dennis, in charge of the surveying parties, felt annoyed at the
interference with his work, but found that he was powerless in the
matter. He applied to the authorities, the Council of Assiniboia, and
asked them take action; but they expressed themselves as o powerless,
and confined themselves to remonstrances. Unfortunately, Archbishop
Tache, one of most influential men in the country, especially with own
people, was absent. The Archbishop had gone take part in the celebrated
(Ecumenical Council, at e, and on his way thither he called at Ottawa to
ascertain from the Dominion Government what were irs intentions on
acquirIng possession of the country. the Government had already made
provision by Act Parliament for the government of the territory, and
fresh legislation could be obtained before the following session, so
Archbishop Tache went on his way to Rome without effecting anything on
behalf of his people.
The Honourable Mr. Macdougall, who had probably taken the most active
interest in the acquisition of this territory by Canada, and had urged
it upon Parliament able speeches, and had also, in conjunction with
George Cartier, negotiated for the purchase of Hudson's Bay Company's
rights with the Imperial government, bad been appointed the first
Governor this new territory, no doubt as a reward for his vices in
connection therewith, and as the best fitted launch the young colony on
its new career.
The priest, PŠre Lestanc, who was left behind in Archbishop Tache's
place, was a gentleman apparently with more zeal than discretion in the
midst of a difficulty such as the present. He came from France, and was
not imbued with the Canadian instincts that most of his clergy
possessed. His actions gave rise to the feeling that the Roman Catholic
church was in sympathy with the extreme measures enforced by Riel. The
attitude of the church seemed more clear, when O'Donohue, who at that
time was being educated for the priesthood at Saint Boniface, and was a
teacher there, saw fit to leave those duties to join Riel and to become
his right hand man during the rebellion that immediately followed. With
some honourable exceptions, the Americans, of whom there were a few,
were hostile, and were fain to fan the flame of discontent, that
advantage might possibly accrue to them or their country. The Canadians,
who were not numerous, were enthusiastic over the transfer of the
territory to the Dominion. Dr. Schultz, at the time, undoubtedly
represented this feeling, and was most popular among the Canadians.
Colonel Dennis advised the Hon. Mr. Macdougall, Governor, who had just
arrived at the boundary line of the state of affairs that existed at
Fort Garry. The Governor unfortunately over-estimated his own power and
under-estimated that of the rebels. He had heard rumours on his way from
St. Paul of the probability of resistance; and on his arrival at
Pembina, on the 21st of October, 1869, he was handed a letter warning
him not to enter the country.
Disregarding this letter, the Governor pushed on to the Hudson's Bay
Company's post, about two miles north of the boundary, accompanied by
the Honourable Albert Richards as his Attorney-General, Mr. Provencher,
Dr. Jakes, and some of his own family. Mr. Macdougall deserved the
greatest sympathy for the unfortunate position he now found himself
placed in. He had travelled by land conveyance four hundred miles from
St. Paul in the month of October, and was now advised by Mr. McTavish to
remain at Pembina and await developments, rather than attempt to enter
the country. To attempt a return journey at the commencement of a
north-west winter seemed to the Governor out of the question. He
therefore determined to await the drift of events, trusting that
something would turn up to relieve him from the awkwardness of his
position. Pembina was a small frontier village where the accommodation
was scant and of a very inferior description. It gave great satisfaction
to his opponents of whom there were a number at Pembina, to have at
their threshold a Governor who could not further approach his territory;
and Mr. Macdougall had to suffer many petty indignities, added to the
anxiety that he felt over the state of affairs in the country.
Reil began by protests and warnings, but soon he assumed more active
measures. By the time the Governor arrived in Pembina he had a small
force under his command, at River Sale, where he erected a barricade to
guard the entrance into the country. His force at first did not exceed
seven men; but being unopposed his followers soon increased. The French
half-breeds, from their experience of past excitements, were nothing
loth to go in for a little fighting. Riel, finding that the Governor had
ignored his warning, forwarded by messenger to Pembina, sent a party to
drive him across the line by force, if necessary. Situated as he was,
isolated from every friend and support, the Governor could offer no
resistance; so he retired across the line, and took up his quarters in
Pembina. Probably, had he not dreaded the effects of - the winter's
journey, back across the plains of Minnesota, he would have returned at
once to confer with his colleagues at Ottawa. Being encouraged by the
offers of loyal assistance in the country, he determined, however, to
remain; and, as it turned out, it was unfortunate he was so advised, as
his presence acted as a red rag to the opposition; though it was
supposed that the country in a month's time, would be part and parcel of
the Dominion. Mr. Provencher and Major Cameron thought that they would
try and get in to confer with the legal authorities in the country, in
the hope of bringing about a reconciliation of interests. Riel,
however, was too cunning to allow any- thing to interrupt the current of
events, which he felt would bring him into importance and satisfy his
ambition and vanity. From my knowledge of Riel, at this time, I
venture to affirm that his motives were more those of personal ambition
and aggrandizement than consideration for the good of his people, and
his subsequent action confirms this opinion. He was clever enough to
make tools of every one who came in his way, not even excepting the
clergy, some of whom were his admiring supporters.
Having succeeded in stopping the surveys, in banishing the new
government, and in turning back the Governor's emissaries, Major
Cameron, a British officer, and Mr. Provencher, one of the Governor's
council, Riel now felt that he could make a bolder and more determined
move. He conceived the idea of taking possession of Fort Garry, seeing,
by this time, that the sinews of war were necessary for his complete
success. Fort Garry was the central depot of the Hudson's Bay Company,
where enormous stores were maintained for the trade of the interior, and
where large quantities of furs were made ready for shipment. Riel
shrewdly saw that the Fort
would prove a rich prize to enable him to carry on his operations,
conceived in no illiberal spirit. The settlement was astounded one day
by the news that Riel had occupied Fort Garry, although the move had
been anticipated by Mulligan, chief of the Company's police, and by
Hyman and others. The excuse he offered to the Governor for this act was
that he heard an attempt was about to be made to seize the Fort by some
other party in the country. Without any warning, Riel marched up about a
hundred men from River Sale, entered the Fort, and informed Mr.
McTavish, Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, that he had come to
protect it. Riel, at first, seemed to realize the effect of so bold a
move, and for a day or two he permitted no other act. Gradually,
however, he became emboldened and he seized the property of the Hudson's
Bay Company for his own purposes. He now occupied a very strong
position, being protected by the Fort, and surrounded by his own men.
The Fort contained the arms and ammunition of the troops which used to
be stationed there, together with several cannon and ample ammunition.
It also contained everything necessary for the support and pay of a
considerable force, with the comfortable quarters of the officers of
the Hudson's Bay Company, which Riel was not long in occupying for his
own luxury and comfort. Mr. Macdougall, the new Governor, had taken
advantage of the season to have judged as having acted wisely; although
it was so far fortunate for Canada that this rising occurred before the
transfer took place, else she would have had to establish her authority
single-handed.
To throw some light upon the deliberations that led to this inaction, I
insert an extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Council of
Assiniboia, held on the 25th of October, 1869. This Council was the
governing body of the territory. There were present on this occasion
Judge Black, who, in consequence of the illness of Mr. McTavish,
presided; the Right Reverend, the Lord Bishop of Rupert's Land, Dr.
Cowan Dr. Bird, Messrs. Dease, Sutherland, McBeath, Frazer, and
Bannatyne. Riel and Bruce, a French half-breed, who were known to be the
leaders of the insurrectionary movement, had been invited to attend this
council meeting and were remonstrated with for taking up arms and the
criminalty of the proceedings was pointed out them. The minutes go on to
say: "That Mr. Riel refused to adopt the views of the Council, and
persisted in expressing his determination to oppose Mr. Macdougall's
entrance into the settlement, declining even to press the reasoning and
advice of this Council upon his patty, although he reluctantly promised
to repeat to them what he had just heard, and inform Governor McTavish
of. the result by Thursday at 11 o'clock. Mr. Riel and Mr. Bruce having
retired, the Council resumed the consideration of the subject before
them, and the expediency of calling out an armed force to meet and
protect Mr. Macdougall was suggested. But as it was seen that it would
be from the English-speaking portion of the community that such a force,
if forthcoming at all, would be chiefly drawn, the result would
evidently be to bring into armed collision sections of the people who,
although they had hitherto lived together in comparative harmony, yet
differed from each other so widely in point of race, language, and
religion, as well as in general habits, that the commencement of actual
hostilities would probably involve not only themselves but the
surrounding Indians in a protracted and sanguinary struggle. The Council
therefore felt that without a regular military force to fall back upon
they could hardly he held justified under the circumstances in resorting
to measures so full of possible mischief to the whole country.
The Council, having learned that a number of the most intelligent and
influential people among the French were not implicated in the hostile
movement against Mr. Macdougall, adopted the following resolution, which
was moved by Mr. Bannatyne, and seconded by Mr. McBeath, viz. :Ä
That Messrs. Dease and Goulet be appointed to collect immediately as
many of the more respectable of the French community as they could, and
with them proceed to the camp of the party who intend to intercept
Governor Macdougall, and endeavour, if possible, to procure their
peaceable dispersion; and that Mr. Dease report to Governor McTavish on
or before Thursday next as to their success or otherwise."
This is the reason of the Council's inaction, and that of the Hudson's
Bay Governor. The same reason made it difficult for Mr. Donald A. Smith
to get the French halfbreeds to take a constitutional course, for Riel
held personal sway over them. The loyalty of the Metis was to
themselves, as British subjects descended from Canadians; the loyalty of
Riel and his council was to himself alone.
Canadians naturally looked upon the act of insurrection as a breach of
faith. At much trouble and expense they had completed a bargain with the
Hudson's Bay Company, and they felt that it should be carried out and
the country be peaceably handed over. Until this was done and peace
restored, the Canadian Government temporarily withdrew from the bargain,
taking the ground that while Canada had bound herself to pay over the
money, the Hudson's Bay Company, on the other hand, was bound to hand
the country over to Canada.
Chapter 4
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