The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-11-27
The Pembina War.

| The Pembina War.
| The war against Canadian domination in
the Pembina country, briefly noticed in our
last, grows in Importance, and is attracting
very general attention. On the same day that
one detachment Of the forces of the settlers so
politely escorted Governor McDougsll across
the boundary line, another detachment moved
upon Fort Garry, the capital of the province,
and took possession without resistance. This
fort is described as situated cat the junction
Of the Red End Assiniboine Rivers, about 70
miles north of Pembina It was built many
years ago by the Hudson Bay Company as
their main depot Of supply for their numer-
GUS trading posts, and IS the citadel of their
authority. 1t was the headquarters of the
Governor Of Assinboine, representing the
governing as well as trading power Of that
corporation. 1t is a strong and regular forti.
fcation, whose massive stone walls and bas-
tions inclose the Governors mansion or Gov
eminent house, quarters for other officials and
servants of the company, and barracks for
troops, though it has not been garrisoned for
many years"
This country, variously known as the coun-
try of the Red River Of the] North, the Asst
niboine country, or the Great Northwest Of the
British possessions l.. America, had for years
been under the paternal domination OF the
Hudsons Bay Company whoss only yoke
upon the half breed settlers was, that the com.
pany established convenient provision depots
for them, and trading posts to which they
could bring their furs and exchange them for
the necessaries Of life. None but the most
trifing taxes had ever been attempted to he
imposed on the settlers. A year ago, how.
ever, the Hudson's Bay Company sold out all
its rights in the territory to the Domin,sn of
Canada at eco head for each settler, and il
was to take formal possession under this trans
fer, and to establish a sort of territorial gsv
eminent, under the surveillance Of the Parha.
ment at Ottawa that Governor cDougall
with his Secretary, grooms, cooks and bottle.
washers was sent there q few weeks ago. 90
Returning frou heir October hunt on the
plains, the sett,.. heard of the advance of
the Canadian satrap, and readily organizing
into troop, they prepared to give him a
proper reception. But rumors of their hostile
purpose induced Governor McDougall to stop
at Fort Pembina, Hudsons Bay Company
post, two miles north of the frontier, and to
send forward his Secretary, N. Provincer, for
conference. This was fruitless. The Lower
Canadian Envoy returned to the fort pris-
oner, and Gov. McDougan was informed that
he must recross the boundary, which he pro.
ceeded to do, and now remains in camp near
Pembina. ,tllH pa
A st. Paul paper names as one leading
cause Of the discomfort of the half breeds, the
sending, by the Canadian Government into
the country last summer, in advance Of any
regular organization "some very iniudicious
persons to lay out wagon road from Thun
der Bay, on Lake Superior, to Fort Garry, and
to make some surveys in the settlement, who
could not resist the temptation to assume i'm
mense official Importance. They have become
very obnoxious and the Canadian Land Sur
vey has been industriously represented as a
conspiracy to require payment for lands held
and occupied by the settlers"
The settlers are not so fixed in their hostil-
ity to Canadian domination but that they are
willing to make terms. The st. Paul paper,
already quoted, says Canada can pacify the
recusants by giving them ample assurances to
the following effect 0I IpH uHs
1. That suffrage shall be universal, and
responsible Territorial Legislature shall be i'm.
mediately constituted.
2. That all lands held and occupied by tho
settlers shall be held BY An absolute title.
8. That homestead oct, similar to that Of
tho United States, shall b passed.
1. That the American system OF school On