The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1885-04-09

WIG $oveIuMeut OF Tue HUDSON Bay COM
pany's territory, and Dec. l, 1869, was SUBJ
sequently fixed az the date of the transfer.
AS the expiry of the charter had only de-
prlved tho company of it's special licenses
and privileges, and not of it's original terri
tory, 1t was necessary for the government to
purchase the territory. The price agreed
small sum in view of the immensely of the
possessions involved These proceedings
awakened alarm in the hearts of the French
haIf breed settlers whose rude houses lined
the banks OF the Red and Assinaboine rivera
There people were mainly the descendants
OF the early traders trappers and employees
OF the Hudson's Bay company: They were
in tho main an untutored people, except for
such instruction a. they received from their
priests Each head of family had his little
strip OF land which he cultivated, and the
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 Hudsons Bay COM
pany. The rule of the company had been in
tho main mild and beneicent; and, although
the company for arbttrariness in connection
with trading-f 1t fixed it's own prices, and
hunters and traders were compelled to &C
cept them or nothing-the people were gen.
orally we'll content with their lot The pro-
posed transfer of the company's possession
gave promise of an entirely new and untried
condition Of things
THE CAUSE OF ALARM
The settlers felt insecure in their posses-
sions and in regard to their civil rights The
course OF 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 knew not what to expect There was
much murmurtng, and as tho time ap-
preached, when tho transfer was to be COM
Eliminated, the settlers Of the Assinaboine and
Red River districts began to organize with
Louis Riel at their head They drew up =
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 two-thirds vote over
the veto Of the executive: third, . free homestead
and prescription law, similar to that Of the
United States: fourth, portion Of the public
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 tho masters of
the country. A provisional government was
organized at Fort Garry, with John Brousse
as president, Louis Riel commander-in- chief
Of the armies; and the young priest and pa
state and secretary of war. The governor
surrounded himself with twenty -four coun-
selors, twelve selected from among the
French half breeds and twelve from among
the English and Scotch element The
capture OF Fort Garry had been easily
the meantime Gov. McDougall had attempt
ed to interest the Indians in his cause, and
made some futile attempts to gain posses
sion of his province. A counter revolution
was also attempted by the Ioyalists, and one
James Scott was shot by order of Riel. The
always harmonious, the Scotch and English
elements coming into occasional conflict
with the French, and at times there seemed
to be danger that the government would
peter out altogether. It retained possession,
however, a]l through the winter, spring and
summer of 1870, until Sir Garnet Wolsoley's
arrival with British troopa
REL ABDICATRs
Instead of holding their ground, Riel and
his conpatriots fled from Fort Garry and
crossed the United States line. leaving their
guns and ammunition behind them. Sir
Garnet, on the Gath of August. took peace
able possession Of the Fort and issued his
famous orders Riel was afterward ban
lshed for five years Such was the
Red river rebellion of 1S60-7O
1t was practically war without bloodshed,
and contemporary history relates many
0fsfa nf ri md ind ~
the rebel leader, who did not seem disposed
at any time to pursue sanguinary policy.
He has been severely criticised by friends Of
the movement for his course in vacating the
country when he had practically everything
III his own hands General sentiment, now
ever, Is inclined to approve of his course as
a very prudent one. In 1871 there was an
attempt to renew the rebellion but it speed
lily collapsed In this campaign there were
interested company of about seventy-nve
Fen!ans under Hen- ONeil These oamped
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 tho treach-
cry of Riel.
The actual transfer of the Hudson Bay
possessions had boon delayed BY tho rebel:
lion, and did not actually take place until
July Is. 1870 Mr. Archibald, the lieutenant
governor of the new Canadian province.
arrived Sept 8. After this commissions were
appointed on behalf of the British govern
ment and the inhabitants of Manitoba to
arrange the difficulties existing and to arrive
at an equitable adjustment of affairs in the
province. In this conference Bishop Tache
participated, representing the people of the
province. At the time he was attending the
Gcumen'cal council sitting in Rome, and
came home to attend to his duties in this
connection In response to q telegram from
the British government He always had
great influence with the people From the
fact that he declines to act as mediator in
the present. crisis, it ia sutmised that be
did not consider himself we'll treated in
connection with the previous negotiations
passed by parliament this same year. BY this
act many of the privileges asked by the
rebels were granted to the Inhabitants; of the
country, and they have sines lived under Z