The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-04-10


pany's territory, and Dec. l, 1869, was sub
sequently fixed as the date of the transfer
AS the expiry of the charter had only de-
prlved the company Of its special licenses
and privileges, and not Of its original terri
tory, 1t was necessary for the government to
upon was $500 900. which looks like very
small sum in view Of the immensity Of the
possessions involved These proceedings
awakened alarm in tho hearts Of the French
half- breed settlers whose rude houses lined
the banks of the Red and Assinaboine rivers
These people were mainly the descendants
OF the early traders, trappers and employees
OF the Hudson's Bay company, 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
pally log huta a. The so titles ind tindsr which 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 tho possession thereof
Their state had been the Hudson's Bay COM
pany. The rule of the company had been in
the main mild and benefcent; and, although
the company for arbitrariness in connection
with trading-for it fixed its own prices, and
hunters and traders were compelled to ao-
cept them or nothing-the people were gen.
orally well content with their lot The pro-
posed transfer OF the company's possession
gave promise of an entirely new and untrie1
condition of thinga
THE CAUSE OF ALARM
The settlers felt insecure in their possess
stons and In regard to their civil rights. The
course OF the British government in placing
them under the dominion of the Canadian
voice had not been heard in the matter.
They knew not what to expect There was
much murmuring, and as the time ap-
proached, when the transfer was to be COM
summated, the settlers of the Assinaboine and
Red River districts began to organize, with
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 local nature by O. two-thirds vote over
and presumption law, similar 10 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 to secure peace
In the future.
William McDougall, who had been ap-
pointed 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 war 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
az president, Louis Riel commander n-chief
Of the armies. and the young priest and pa
triot O'Donoghue was virtually secretary Of
state and secretary of war. The governor
surrounded himself with twenty -four coun-
selors. twelve selected from among the
the English and Scotch element The
capture of Fort Garry had been easily
accomplished and without bloodshedL In
the meantime Gov. McDougall had attempt
ed to interest the Indians in his cause, and
made some futile attempts to gain posses-
was also attempted BY the Ioyalists, and one
James Scott was shot by order of Riel The
council of the provisional government was not
always harmonious, the scotch and English
elements coming into occasional conflict
with the French, and at times there seemed
peter out altogether. It retained possession,
however, all through the winter, spring and
summer of 1870, until Sir Garnet Wolseley's
arrival with British troopa
REL ABDICATEA
Instead of holding their ground, Riel and
his coInpatriots fled from Fort Garry and
crossed the United States line, leaving their
guns and ammunition behind them, Sir
Garnet, on the 24th of August, took peace
able possession of the Fort and issued his
famous ordera Riel was afterward ban
tshed for five yeaIA Such was the
Red river rebellion Of 1880-7O
1t was practically 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
at any time to pursue q sanguinary policy.
He has been severely criticised by friends Of
the movement for his course in vacating the
country when he had practically everything
IN his own hands General sentiment, how
ever. is inclined to approve OF his course as
very prudent one. In 1871 there was an
attempt to renew tile rebellion, but it speed
lily collapsed In this campaign there were
interested a company of about seventy-fiye
Fenians under Gen O'NeiL These camped
in the woods near Pembina, and captured
the British post opposite that place. An
officer who was with this expedition claimed
that the enterprise failed through the treach-
cry of Iiel.
The actual transfer of the Hudson Bav
possessions had been delayed by the rebel
lion, and did not actually take place until
July II. 1870. Mr.. Archibald, the lieutenant
governor Of the new Canadian province,
arrived sept 3 After this commissions were