Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-27
RIEL'S DEFENCE.
He SAYS He is a Citizen Of the United
States and Not Traitor to Canada.

ST. PAUL, May &c.
The Evening Despatch publishes a special
from Winnipeg, giving the particulars of an
interview between Riel and Rev. Mr.. Pitt
blado, who accompanied the former to Saska-
ton in the steamer Nortbcote.
Riel bitterly denounces the priests and says
they are selfish and meddiesome class, and
caused the present trouble. He had 500 men
at Batouche and l5O on the north side of the
river. He said eight were killed and two
fatally wounded.
Riel says the half breeds did not rebel
They were not treated fairly and hoped for a
treaty similar to the one made with the set
tied half breeds Of Manitoba. He claims to
be a citizen of the United States, and hence
not traitor to Canada, and this will probably
be his line of defence.
WINNIPEG, May 26.
The latest advices from Battleford indicate
that Poundmaker does not feel like surren-
dering Internationally. Two mail carriers
who arrived yesterday at Saskatchewan Land
ing, report seeing the trail of large body of
Indians travelling eastward. These were
thought to be Big Bear and his followers.
going to join Pobudmaker in Eagle Hills.
A private letter from Rev. MIR. Pittbado of
Winnipeg, who accompanied Riel on the
steamer to Saskatoon, gives an interesting
account of the conversations with the rebel
chief. Riel said he was forced to fight by
the mounted police and Hudson Bay officers,
who tyranized over the halt breeds
Speaking of the fight at Batouche, Riel
said: Had the Indians we expected Joined
US, we would have been better able to resist.
l expected an attack on the north side of the
river, and left 150 men to resist it on that
side. This weakened us on the other side.
The priests insisted on our being submissive
to them. They were against our trying to
redress our own grievances. Ever since the
infallibality of the Pope was propounded they
have been very tyrannical. They didn't
wish the people to do nything, but the priests
to do all. If thev had been in favor of peace
l would have been with them. They were
in favor of fighting for the priests, but not
for the people. They are against me now,
not because rebelled, but because did not
succeed in helping them.
OF the grievances of the half-breeds, Riel
said 1.-THE half-breeds of Manitoba have en-
tered into q treaty which stipulates that the
arrangements to be made with the half-breeds
of the territories would be similar to those
made with Manitoba.
No treaty has ever been made with us. We
never tranferred our rights and before they
are taken from us we wish to have treaty
ndue dnu tIlnk we nave right 10 expect
that the conditions Of that treaty be similar
to the one made with the settled half-breeds
in Manitoba. This is not rebellion. We
simply defend ourselves. We desire to have
an equitable arrangement made for our in
terests-they defend themselves" He said
he went to the States at the solicitation of
Archbishop Tache.
II knew" he continued, ''the government
was between a cross fire from the opposition
of any of my sympathizers. / told the Ar
chibishop there seemed to be something
wrong in asking me to go, but would leave
the consequences with him. He said friend
or some friends would give me 200 pounds
replied that would not take money in that
way, but if the government would paw me
for my services while Governor and while
serving against the fenians, and give me
something for damages, I would After
while assurances were given me and I went
to st. Paul and stayed there some months
When the elections came on, the Archbishop
sent for me and / came back. / was return
ed for the province three times. and as otter
turned out of the House and declared an out
law. and then went to the States to which
was banished for five years. The govern
ment gave me 800 pounds. l am citizen of
the United States. / have my papers all
right and citizen Of the United States can
scarcely be traitor to the Dominion govern
ment."