The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-06-18
RELYING ON REL.
The Delegates From the Saskatche-
wan Country Arrive in Montana.
They induce Mr.. RleI to Accompany Them
to the NorthIand-Ris Written
Reply to the Delegation.

vW 10 LIE NOTbuldno-HAS @
Reply to the Delegation.
Louis Riel arrived in the city Satur-
day accompanied by the delegation of
four half-breed citizens sent from Prince
Albert and vicinity, Saskatchewan ter
ritory, to consult with Riel as regard
their difficulties with the government.
The names of the parties are James Is
blister, Gabriel Dumont, Noise Ouellette
and Michel Dumas, wealthy n intelli-
gent citizens of Prince Albert and vici-
nifty. They called upon the RIVER
PRESS Saturday and explained their
grievances and the object of their mis-
sion.
They are not seeking to foment dis
cord and III no sense represent q rebel
lious faction or party. They ask what
is just of the government n know the
folly of seeking redress otherwise than
by peaceable methods. It seems that
for many years they and their people
have been settled in the Saskatchewan
valleys and have improved their n
and made themselves pleasant and val
liable homes.
After all these years Of settlement the
dominion refuses to recognize their
right to the lands they have taken, and
will not give them title to the same, in
direct contravention of the letter and
| spirit Of the Manitoba treaty.
They come to Mr.. Riel for aid and adj
vice because he was the leading spirit,
on behalf of the half-breeds, in making
the Manitoba treaty, and is thoroughly
familiar with it and all the circum-
stances connected with its formation.
At their urgent request Riel has de-
cided to go north with them, to assist
them in whatever way he can but as
he is a full fedged American citizen he
proposes to return soon and maintain
his residence in Montana. He has
given the following letter to the delega-
ton to be read to their people on their
return
ST. PETERS MISSION, June 5, 1884.
TO NM. James Lsbiste2, Gabriel Du-
mont, Noise Ouetette, Michel Dumas.
GENTLEMEN = You have travelled
more than five hundred miles, from the
Saskatchewan country across the inter-
national line, to make me a visit. The
communities in the midst of which you
live have sent you as their delegates to
ask my advice on various difficulties
| which have rendered the British north
| west as yet unhappy under the Ottawa
government. Moreover, you invite me-
to go and stay amongst you, your hope
being that for one-cou]d help to bet
ter, III some respects, your condition.
Cordial and pressing is your invitation.
You want me and my family to accom-
pany you, [ am at liberty to excuse
and say mo-" yet you are waiting for
me, SO that | have only to get ready.
Your letters of delegation give me the
assurance that a friendly welcome is
a rya fs~ ~ ~, n -, H.. r,:Irf of &lo.o r-1
have sent you.
Gentlemen, your personal visit does
me great honor and causes great pleas
ure, but on account of its representative
character your coming to me has the
proportions of a remarkable fact. [ re-
cord it as n of the qualifications of my
life. 1t is a good event which my family
will remember, and / pray to God that
your delegation may become a blessing
among the blessings Of this my fortieth
year.
To be frank is the shortest. [ doubt
whether my advice given to you on this
soil concerning affairs on Canadian ter
ritory could cross the borders and retain
any influence. But there is another
view. The Canadian government owes
me 240 acres of land. according to the
thirty-first clause of the Manitoba treaty.
They W me also five lots, valuable or
account of hay, timber and water 'front.'
age. Those lots were mine according to
the different paragraphs of the same
thirty-first clause of the Manitoba
treaty. It is the Canadian government
that has deprived me, directly and indi-
rectly, of those properties.
Besides, if they only pay attention to
it for a minute, they will easily find out
that they owe me something else.
These my claims against them are
such as to hold good. Notwithstanding
the fact that [ have become an Ameri-
can citizen.
Considering, then, your interests and
mine, | accept your very kind invita-
ton. [ will go and spend some time
amongst you. By p%etitioning the gov
eminent with you, perhaps we will all
have the good fortune to obtain some
thing. But my intention is to come
back early this fall. Montana has a
pretty numerous native half-breed eie-
IF we count with them the white
men interested in the half-breed well
fare by being themselves heads of half
breed families, I believe it is safe to say
that the half-breed element Of Montana
is a pretty strong one, I am just getting
acquainted with that element. [ am
one of those who would like to unite
and direct its vote, sc as to make it pro-
ftable to themselves and useful to their
and friends amongst whom I like to
live. I start with YOU, but to come back
time in September.
have. the honor, gentlemen, delegat-
ed to me to be
YOur humble servant