The Portland daily press., 1885-03-28
RIEL'S REBELLION.
RIEL's REBELLION.
Collision Between Rebels and Ma
jor Crozier's Forces.
Twelve OF the Latter Killed and Many
Wounded.
Intense Excitement Prevailing
Throughout Canada.

OTTAWA, March a. - In the Dominion
House of Commons last night, Mr.. Blake,
leader of the opposition, rose, amid cheers, to
call attention to the Riel rebellion, or the caus-
es of the same. He reviewed the conduct of
the government since Riel's return to Canada,
and in stern terms condemned their failure to
deal with the grievances of the half breeds
and other settlers in the Northwest. He said
that the government had been negligent in
their duty in withholding information from
the Parliament. He reminded the house of
Sir John A. MacdoDald's conduct in 1881,
when he paid Riel $1,000 to get out of the
country, while protesting his wish to God that
he could catch him. Riel had made O good
thing out of the rebellion in 1871, and now
wanted to repeat the operation. It was only
now, after the insurrection had broken OUT,
that the gentleman thought it proper to issue a
commission to settle their claims. He moved
that the government should at once lay before
Parliament full and complete Information es to
ence to the claims OF the half breeds; to the
calling out or the militia and with respect to
the disturbance in the Northwest
Sir John Macdonald charged Mr.. Blake
with endeavoring to make capital out OF Riel's
outbreak. Many of the claims set up by the
half breeds were fraudulent, and many who
got 240 acres in the Red River settlement had
sold out and gone to Prince Albert, and there
claimed 160 acres more. The half breeds we're
now quarreling among themselves about the
land claimed. The Indians and half breeds
could never be satisfied The government was
not responsible for the stories published by
their organs. AS guardian of public property,
the government must resist fraudulent claims
to public lands. Had he caught Riel in 1871,
he would have been tried in Ontario or Que
cere prayer been uttered than that which he
(Sir john had uttered at Peterborough when
he said he wished to God he could catch Riel.
Money had been given to Riel to induce him
to go away and cease agitating the country.
After remarks by Messrs. Cartwright and
Esey, in support of the amendment, the MEM
bers were called in, and the amendment was
defeated by vote of 1872 to 81.
ST.. PAUL, Mimi, March 27.--A special from
Winnipeg says: 1t is reported on good author
ity that the government have received word
that the rebels have captured Major Crozer
and his force of over 100 mounted police, after
an engagement in which several were killed
on be tn sides. The rebels tried to wreck the
train which was carrying the troops from Win
nipeg west, but were arrested. One OF the
prisoners had dispatches from Riel to half
breeds around Winnipeg and Southern Mani
toba, urging them to rise. Gen. Middleton ar
rived this morning. Orders have been issued
for an advance of the troops this afternoon.
OTTAWA, Ont, March 27.-In the House of
Commons tonight, the following telegram from
Lieut.. Col. Irwin to Sir John A. Macdonald,
dated Fort Carleton, March 27, was read by
the Premier
"The party under my command have Just
arrived. When near Fort Carleton, found
that Major Orozier, with party of one hun
dred, had gone to Duck Lake to secure q large
quantity of supplies there stored. They were
met by some hundred rebels, who held an ad-
vantageous position at Beardy's Reserve, and
endeayored to surround Major Crozier's force
of police and civilians. The rebels fred first
when the firing became general. Major Gro
zier, owing to the disadvantage at which be
was taken, retreated in good order, arriving at
the fort at the same time as my party. Ten
civilians of Prince Albert, and two policemen
were killed, and four civilians and seven con-
stables were wounded The number of rebels
killed is not known. The police and civilians
acted with the greatest bravery under heavy
fire."
The reading of this despatch caused intensa
excitement. Detachments of A and B bat.
teries of Kingston and Quebec, the Queens
Own and Tenth Royal of Toronto and the in
fantry school, under command of Col. Otter,
have received marching orders and will pro-
ceed. via the Canadian Pacific railroad to the
northwest without delay.