Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1885-04-09

runs into the Saskatchewan country. 1t is more
name, on the river. Regina is not represented OF
the government of the Hudson Bay COM
pany's territory, and Dec. |, 1869, was sub
sequently fixed as the date OF the transfer.
As the expiry of the charter had only de-
priyed the company of It's special licenses
and privileges, and not of it's original terri
tory, it was necessary for the government to
purchase the territory. The price agreed
upon was $500, 600, which looks like q very
small sum in view Of the immensely of the
possessions involved These proceedings
awakened alarm in the hearts of the French
half breed settlers whose rude houses lined
the banks of the Red and Assin8boine rivers
These people We're mainly the descendants
OF the early traders, trappers and employees
OF the Hudson's Bay They were
in the main an untutored people. except for
such instruction as they received from their
priests, Each head of family had his little
strip OF land which he cultivated, and the
dwellings of the people were princi-
pally log huts. The titles under which
they held their lands had been obtained
from the Hudson's Bay company,
where they had titles. but in many cases it
would probably have been difficult TO estab-
lish any legal or valid claim to the land.
However, for years they had remained IN
undisturbed possession of the property on
which they had built their cabins, and felt
perfectly secure in the possession thereof.
Their state had been the Hudson's Bay COM
pany The rule of the company had been in
the main mild and beneicent; and, although
there had beenbccasionaI corEtlaints against
the company for arbitrariness1 in connection
with trading-for it fixed its own prices, and
hunters and traders were compelled to ac-
cept them or n~othing-the people were gen.
orally well content with their lot The pro-
posed transfer Of the company's possession
40 xa Rrntataa gf IN Aptfrafxy Nnpy and nnfrfaA
condition of things
THE CAUSE OF ALARM
The settlers felt insecure in their posses
sions and in regard to their civil rights The
course or the British government in placing
them under the dominion of the Canadian
government seemed to them arbitrary. Their
voice had not been heard in the matter.
They NEW not what to expect There was
much murmuring, and as the time ap-
preached, when the transfer was to be COM
summated, the settlers of the Assinaboine and
Red River districts began TO organize, with
Louis Riel at their head They drew up a
bill of rights in which they put forth, among
other demands, the following:
First, the right to elect their own legislature;
second, this legislature to have power to pass all
laws of a local nature by q two-thirds vote over
the veto of the executive: third, a free homestead
and pre-emption law, similar to that of the
United States; fourth, q portion OF the public
land to be donated to the support of schools and
construction of roads and bridges; fifth, treaties
with the Indian tribes calculated 70 secaTs peace
in the future.
William McDougall, who had beer APP
as governor OF the newly organized
territory, arrived there in October. He found
the roads in possession of the insurgents,
and was driven from the country with his
suite, and for some time lived in camp near
Pembina, ON this side of the line. This was
the first act OF wal on the part OF the rebels.
They immediately obtained possession of all
the posts and forts. and were the masters of
the country. A provisional government was
organized at Fort Garry, with John Brousse
rs president, Louis Riel communicated
OF the armies, and the young priest and pa
triot ODonoghne was virtually secretary of
and secretary of war The governor
surrounded himself with t~wenty-four
selors, twelve selected from among the
French half breeds and twelve from among
the English and Scotch element The
of Fort Garry had been easily
accomplished and without bloodshed In
the meantime Gov. McDougall had attempt
ed to interest the Indians in his cause, and
some futile attempts to gain posses
sion of his province. A counter revolution
was also attempted by the IOyaiists, and n
James Scott was shot 5y order OF Rici. Tx
council of the provisional government was not
harmonious, the scotch and English
coming into occasional conflict
the French, and at times there seemed
TO be danger hat the government would
peter out altogether. 1t retained possession,
however, all through the winter, spring and
summer of 1870. until Sir Garnet Wolseley's
arrival with British troops 49,
REL ADVOCATES.
Instead OF holding their ground, Riel and
his compatriots fled from Fort Garry and
the United States line, leaving their
guns and ammunition behind them. Sir
Garnet, on the 24th Of August. took peace
,l.anaafa.. 80 sh. Ez-% 81 s.-I IL.
orders Riel was aftcrward ban
ished for five years Such was the
Bed river rebellion of 1s69-70
IL was practically a war without bloodshed,
and contemporary history relates many
acts of clemency and kindness on the part of
the rebel leader, who did not seem disposed
az any m 10 puis5ue a s~anguinary policy.
has been severely criticised by friends OF
the movement for his course in vacating the
when he had practically everything
In his W hands General sentiment. now
ever, is inclined to approve of his course as
very prudent one. In 1871 there was an
to renew the rebellion, but 1t speed
lily collapsed. In this campaign there were
interested a company OF about seventy-fve
under Gen 0Neil These camped
In the woods near Pembina, and captured
the British post opposite hat place. An
otficer who was with this expedition claimed
that the enterprise failed through the treach-
- w WV
The actual transfer Of the Hudson Bay
possessions had been delayed by the rebel
lion, and did not actually take place until
jury 10. 1870 Mr.. Archibald, the lieutenant
OF the new Canadian province,
arrived Sept 3. After this commissions were
appointed ON behalf of the British govern
mcnt and the inhabitants Of Manitoba to
arrange the difficulties existing and TO arrive
at an equitable adjustment of affairs i'm the
Ia this conference Bishop Tache
participated representing the people of the
Az the time he was attending the
Gcu'nenical council sitting in Rome, and
home to attend TO his duties in this
connection In response TO a telegram from
lhe British government He always had
great influence with the people From the
iact mat he declines to act as a mediator IN
.he present crisis, il IL sufmised that he
dld not consider himself well treated In
connection with the previous negotiations
Mhat was known as the Manitoba act was
passed by parliament this same year. By this
aot many OF the privileges asked by the
repels Were granted TO the inhabitants or the
country, and they have since lived undex o