Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-09

corners, where the great subject was dis
cussed. and the prospects of the case con-
sidered. Superintendent O'Neil, without any
direct orders, so far as we could learn, had
also ordered out his men, and held them IN
readiness throughout the night for any duty
or call. The men looked well, and the m
telligent Superintendent was, as usual, wloe
awake, and evidently fully realized the re-
sponsibility of the duty that might al any
moment deyolve upon him. Nothing uennite'
Of course, could be ascertaned, as we oelieve
no definite intructions had been gwen, ana
nothing definitely was known; but it was the
general opinion that the Guards and the de-
tectiye police force were under arms 1or the
purpose of protecting Riel from any violence
that might be offered by mob in case OF his
arrest. The city police force were also on
the oui rirs, and kept themselves in knots OF
two or three in the neighborhood Of Parlia-
ment square. Their duty would no doubt
have been to arrest him. At the evening sit
ting the galleries were crammed full OF
people, while the corridor and lobbies were
filled with curious persons, all looking IN
that uncertain and halfexcited state which
should beyond doubt that they,
toe, had come in expectation OF seeing
the member for Proyencher. Several
of the city police paraded the corridors until
wen on tOWdTu tHe auJUuTHtBeHt vi TIC AhouSe,
and their movements were closely watched by
sanguine crowd. But, after all, M. Riel.
NJ. r., did not file an appearance, and for
aught that was known to the contrary, he
may have been fifty or more miles out of
town at the. time those curious persons were
straining their eyes to get glimpse OF him.
The galleries remained we'll filed with people
until the adjournment, which took place
about II o'clock. Nothing transpired of n
remarkable nature during the evening, and
as the Riel question is now before the House,
a conclusion will probably be come to ere
long.
Though great many people have as
sumed, during the last few days. to know
great deal about Riels movements, and were
ever ready to explain his intentions, yet the
fact is, as proved by recent events, that these
statements were mere opiaions, built upon
poor foundations. One of our reporters has
been playing the detective during the last
few days, and has succeeded in obtaining
positive information about the member for
Provencher. He ferreted out a man who
spent some time 10 his company in Ottawa,
and hence the reliableness of the following
intelligence: Riel had been in Montreal for
some time, whence, after due elaboration
with his friends, he decided to come to Otta-
wa, and accordingly left there on Tuesday
afternoon last in carriage. He came to
Hawkesbury, where arrangements had been
made to receive him, and he remained there
until Friday morning last, when he set out
for the capital. He reached the city on
Friday about 8 o'clock and drove down DAILY
street, Nicholas street, and over the Sapper's
Bridge. He drove over to Hull, which he
made his headquarters during his stay. Our
informant says he is stout, burly, muscular
man, with fierce determination depicted in
his eyes and countenance. His hair is heavy,
black, and bushy, and his nose is Of the
Roman order. He lays claim to the amnesty
and says he had the promise of it. He spoke
calmly Of the troubles in 60, and attributes
SCOTS death to his own conduct. He did
not con6ns himself strictly to his quarters in
Hull during his stay, but we are told, came
over to Ottawa frequently, and visited some
of his friends in the Lower Town. Having taken
the oath yesterday at noon, it is said that he
left the city about 3 o'clock, and crossed over
with as much haste as possible. A warrant
was issued for him as soon as it was known
that he was in town.. Detective Hamilton
had it in his possession, and kept the men
of the Police force on the alert throughout
the afternoon to arrest him should he be
found. He is now in the United States,
where he will no doubt await further devel-
opments in his case.