The New York herald., 1870-02-10
Grand Mass Meeting at Fort
Garry.
The New Canadian Commissioner Before
the Convention.
IMPORTANT OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
Full Report of the Pro-
ceedinGs.

or. fAuL, MIMI, Fco Z. loIu
the man from Fort Garry arrived this afternoon,
bringing advees to the 2lst nit. Tne only event OF
Importance tnat has transpred since the last man has
been mass meeting Of the people Of the Red River
settlements to hear what the new Canadian Commis
sioner, MIR. Donald A. Smith, had TO communicate.
The annexed report Of the proceedings OF the mass
meeting i5 very full and interesting. Most OF the
parties who figured IN the meeting are already known
to the HERALD readers, but word may be necessary
IN reference to a few.
Mr. Smith, the commissioner, Is the chief factor OF
the eastern department OF the Hudson Bay Company,
and has his headquarters at Montreal. Governor
Mactavsh Is the chief factor Of the depart
menr and was also Governor Of the Red River conn.
try until deposed by the lDsurrecton.
Bishop Machray is the English Church Bishop OF
Rupert's Land and presdes over the ecclesiastica
affairs OF the Hudson Bay Company and the Eng
iish and Scotch settlements. Mr. Black was q sort
OF attorney general to the old Hudson Day Com
pany regime Mr.. Thomas Bunn who presided. is
one OF the settlers and OF no particular prominence
in any respect in the community; Mr.. Bannatyne ID
q brother inaw Of Governor Mactavish and one Of
the hudson Bay Company's chief traders, and
Fathers Lestanc ana RIcnot the principal Jesuit
priests in Winnipeg. The brief period between
mails does not allow an opportunity to forward
more than the contents OF the Red River news
papers.
[From the Winnipeg New Nation, Jan. 2l.l
A grand mass meeting Of the Inhabitants OF the
settlement was held at Upper Fort Garry on the 10Th
instant. so many were present that the assembly
had to be held IN the open air, and this when The
thermometer stood twenty degrees below zero. The
meeting tasted five hours.
ON motion Of President Riel, seconded by Pierre
Levelle, Mr.. Thomas Bum was called to the chair
In opening the meeting the chairman expressed
It as nus opinion mat M IN TINS was te most @ mporan. ia
interests were at STAKE aud he therefore hoped that
the utmost order and good humor would prevail.
MIR. keI was elected interpreter, and on motion OF
MIR. Angus Mckay, seconded by Mr.. ODonOgbue,
Judge Black was appointed secretary OF the meet
ing. Colonel De Saaberry was present both DAYS.
The Chairman introduced to the meeting MIR. DON
aid A. Smith. who came forward and read the fol-
lowing document. which he said had been handed
to him in Canada:--
s1nI have the honor TO inform YOU that His Exceency
the Governor has been appoint special
to inquire Int and spo5 on s eass ana %
Northwss Territory the peassaes entrance Of the Hon
Canada Also inquire and report the Of the
exist there Also explain TO the inhabitants prn-
exist the na as ss or With
peaceaec transfer Of the from the Hudson Bay
You to consider tha communication as letter Of a
as or Wh this svsn sser
NJ McDouga on oans Ottawa dated the ssth Of SePtc
the 7th inst aud copy Of proclamation issued by
Eacelency the Governor General addressed to the inhab
Sasssty Maze - '''''"s,' .e','0'' :, - =
S WIN to your future Of action
anu then go Garry steps after such
course with Governor Mactavish and endeavor to
arrange concerted between Mr. McDongai the
Hudson Bay authorities and yourself for tho paccaton Of
As the Information coming here is necessarily imperfect
the at Red River constantly changing
es HH Win ac according to he
best yonr with Mr.. McDouga and keep fully
inforu 10 he Of
oer suggestions dealing With the In
dian r0s' in the country have the 19rs osEta + 's S
Secretary of State for the Provinces.
Mr.. RIEL translated the letter into French.
Mr. SMITH tnen read the following letter, sent by
the Governor General of Canada to MIN (Smlth) per
sonay. It was handed to him at at Ottawa "a :. 1880
MY pxAn ME- SMITH, learn with salts action that You
ernmen and you proceeding River
parties yar,ancs the benefit OF your
Mr.. KlEL unterrupting)--is that letter public or
prlvatef
Some confusion ensued, several people spoke al
the same time and ultimately the chairman ordered
silence. and SAID that the document was public and
ought to be read
Mr.. Smith continued the reading OF the letter.
Give the parties who variance the benefit OF your
periencs, influence and mediation: -.
North pos hags % letter
Land and the General who acts in Rpmsl
Catholic Bishop during his presence in Rome have sen
Saisssys sesrsary State, which he STAPLE
T Yos viii Il c
for ali who have any complaints to make wishes
ta1e and you may state with the utmost conddsnce that
the imperial government has no intention & Of acting Other
good faith towards the Inhabitants OF the Red River district
/ The people rely upon It that respect and protection
win oe extended % tue disren. religious "a
perfectly guardedrenewed chees-and that all the fran
s % sa 'fs Be
literally conferred In declaring the desire and determna
hpr n ~
cases. Wishing journey and all success II
! yours, JOHN YOUNG
| Mr. RIEL-It is not signed "Governor."
| Mi. SMlrH-lt is written and slgned lin my capa
city as her Majesty's representative
Mr.. Rlel then translated the letter into French.
| Mr.. smith then asked Vicar General Tnibault fol
! some letters from Inc government OF Canada tC
Governor Macuavlsh and the Bishop OF Rupert'i
ra 's) care In Canada. .'ln said Mr. SMITH, "haye
been authorized by Governor Mactavish to make
| this request. The document ask for Is an oficia
! one, addressed by the Governor General OF Canads
| to Governor Mactavlsh In explanation would say
that The Vicar General ana Colonel De SalaberrJ
| preceded me from Canada few days. 1t was In
| tended that we should have mad communication or
the way, and that being the case, Tor convenience
SAKE sax the letters were gwen to the vicar General u
! the views OF the Canadian government, ana SHOWS
what the the queen wished to say to her faithful sub
Mr.. REL do not want the document TO be read.
| tCries OF "We Will have 1t |" and cheers)
1 NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
| Judge BLACK protested against the document
| being withheld from the meeting.
| VOICE-Wh0 has the documentss (Cheers.l
| ANOTHER V0ICE-Mr. ODonoghue was there
| tCneers.)
CHAIaMAN-The Vicar General states that Mr
ODon0ghue seized them ana has got them.
VOICE-We want them. (Cneers.
Mr.. REL ask the Vicar General II either OF the
| letters alluded 10 belong to Mr.. SMITH
The VICAR GENERAI-No.
] Mr.. SMprH--Governor Maciavish authorizes me to
| ask Tor MS letter.
| Bishop MAcHRAy--f Will ask my letter from Hr
O'Donognue, and yhink he will give 1t.
Judge BLACK urged the production OF the letters
Mr. REL replied that tue Judge was oul of his
| rOle as secretary in addressing the meeting.
Judge BLACK said that he had no idea that Mr..
| Riel could teach him his duty.
The CHAIRMAN addressed the meeting, and Mr.
| O'Donoghue protested.
Judge BLAcK--u business is not allowed to pro-
| ceed regularly will resign.
Mr.. O'DoNOaHUR complained that the chairman
] would not let him address the meeting.
The CuAIaMAN SAID he mad no objection to Mr..
| O'Donoghue doing so when in order.
Mr.. BANSArYNE--AB Red River settler ask the