Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-07-25
IRIEL TN REGINA COURT.
THE BEGINNING or THE END OF THE
NORTHWEST WAR.
The Question of Jurisdiction of tho Pre-.
siding Magistrate numont. DUMAS
and Justice Can Clear tho Rebel.
General s.iddleton---The Trial.

REGINA, N. w. T., July % Increasing
Interest is manifested in Riers trial, and the
sheriff has been bothered with applications
FLOR admittanca. A report was current that
! Riel was very sick. The truth, however, il
THAT he was only slightly indisposed, nc
doubt as a result of confinement The trial
begins immediately or course little will
= be done beyond impaneling the jury.
The defense will raise the question Of jur-
2isdiction of the presiding magistrate and
3also the constitutionality Of tho court, and
Twill contend that Mr. Richardson, being
magistrate for Assiniboine has no jurisdic-
,tion over offenses committed in the Sas-
Ikatchewan districts.
Gen. Middleton and Col. Herchmer have
sarrived from Winnipeg to give evidence.
y The defense limited that Gen. Middleton will
be asked several very important questions
the alleged looting by troops, etc
Riels counsel received the following letter
afrom Messrs Carter and Clay berg. attorneys:
"HELENA, Mont, July 81
s"Hon. Charles Fitzpatrick Regain:
DEAR SrR--Replying to your esteemed
Flavor OF the oh inst, we beg leave to state
THAT Dumont appears very warmly toward
athe case Of Riel, and If his testimony could
/ be introduced by deposition, we are satisfied
sthat it would be of material aid in any line
4of defense you may adopt. The general de-
*ductions to be drawn from the story of Du-
mont, III SO far as Riel are concerned are in
! substance thus:
First--In the summer of 1884 q public
Injecting of the Half Breed settlers deter
mined to send to Montana for Riel, whom
sthey assumed to be familiar with the rights
guaranteed to them by treaty with the gov
5ernment. Dumont was selected by tho
meeting as one of two persons to proceed
across the country to st. Ignatius Mission,
Montana territory, for Riel. Riel returned
] with Dumont and remained in the North
/ west territory without any intention of
making his home there, but as the selected
advocate of the peoples rights under exist
ling treaty stipulation. Riel always coun-
lseled peaceful measures, and finding the
measures fruitless he publicly printed his in
2tention of leaving the country for Montana
9about three weeks prior to the opening of
sthe rebellion.
"He was prevented by the people from re-
turning to bis home. The war commenced
<and was conducted under tho direction of a
{council OF fourteen persons. OF this council
] Riel was not member. Dumont had sole
scharge of the troops and was accountable
sonly to the council Of fourteen. Riel did not
participate in any engagement until the
final charge, when he was drawn from
shelter with the body of the population.
''Dumais will support this statement of
iDumont. Both these men are here anxious
Ito lend helping hand to their friend. II in
sthe outline Of facts stated you discover any
thing likely TO prove available and useful to
(your client, please inform us of your pleas
lure and we will be pleased to conform there
to- Very truly yours,
GARTER AND CLAYBERG."
Mr.. Fitzpatrick will have Dumont and
DUMAS present as witnesses If the court will
{allow them to return to Montana unmo-
Tested, otherwise he will try to put in their
zevidence taken by commission.