, 1885-11-17

general of Canada, citing his firm convic-
rion and asking that while he deemed
hlel a dangerous person and one who
should be confined for life, expressed the
view that, if the sentence of death was
carried out, his blood would be upon the
head of his excellency. Lord Landsowne,
and his immediate advisers. He address
sed a similar document to Sir John Mac
Donald, prime minister of Canada. Rev.
McWilliams has in his possession a series
of letters written by Riel within the past
ten days, which serve as a partial index
to his character and present the claim to
his being a patriot and likewise a prophet.
Riel's handwriting is bold and moderately
regular.
The following letter was written, the
reverend gentleman said, while Riel was
laboring under excitement.
REGINA JAIL, Nov. 9, lss5.-'I am
most acknowledging towards you, my God,
for having fulfilled a promise which you
never fully made to me, through your be-
loved servant, Ignace Bourget, that you
would not abandon me on account of the
mission which you have goodly given me
to fulfill in all points. (Signed.)
LOUIS DAVID REL"
Inc following was written the same day:
REGINA JAIL, Nov. 9, lsS5.-''For as
sistiDg to alleviate the wrongs of my
countrymen | am to be-but | will not
saT it, for having done all | could to bet
ter the condition of the people at large as
an aboriginal, as an American and as a
prophet, will lose my temporal life.
(Signed.) LOUIS DAVID RIEL."
About 1880 O'Clock this morning he
wrote the following:
10 Rer. C. A. Ne WiHians-My
good thanks for assisting me in differ.
ent ways, principally by your prayers.
(Signedl Louis David Riel, Nov. I6, 1885.
Twenty minutes before he went to the
scaffold he wrote the following in French.
Of which a close translation is given. This
was his final missive and is in a clear, bold
hand:
What there is too %presumptuous in
my writings, | must say that by these
presents | subordinate it entirely to the
good pleasure of my God, to the doctrine
of the church, and to the infallible decis-
ions of the supreme pontif. I die a
Catholic, and in the one and only true
faith. (Signed) Louis David Riel, 10th
Nov. 1885. Regina jail"
. Father McWilliams declares he never
witnessed a more resigned feeling than
was shown in the case of Riel during his
last hours.
Members of the Northwest council are
now in session here, but as a rule are not
willing to progEosticate the probable effect
of the death of Riel upon the half breeds
or the country generally. One of the
half-breed members said that his country
men undoubtedly sympathized with their
leader, and doubtless would do so doubly
now that he was dead.
1t was declared this afternoon that the
government will probably not allow his
body to be removed to Winnipeg through
fear OF a demonstration, which might
possibly be made by the half breeds at his
funeral.
MONTREAL, Nov. l6.-There was con-
siderable excitement among French Cana.
dian citizens here when the news OF Riel's
execution was received. The French
Canadian students, to the number of 500,
carrying the t%ri-color, marched through
the several streets of the city, giving vent
to cheers for Riel, and d~enouncing Sir
John Mcdonald. Flags are at half mast
in many places. There will likely be- de-
monstration tonight,
QUEBEC, Nov 1G.-The excitement
here over the execution of Riel is intense.
MONTREAL, Nov. lG.-About 400 stu
dents started from the Victoria university
tonight to parade through the city.
When they reached the Champs de Mars
the number had been augmented by a fol-
lowing variously estimated at from 5000
to 10000 persons. The paraders carried
French flags, transparencies, and efigies
of Sir John Macdonald, Sir Hector Lam
geyin, Hon. j. A. Chapleau, Hon. NJ.
Langeyin and Mr.. Oumit. Mr.. Chap
leau and Sir Hector were burned in efigy
on the Champs de Mars, where a number
Of shots were exchanged between the
paraders and the police. No one was in
jured. however. From this place the pro-
cession moved to Victoria square, where
Sir John Macdonald cfigy was set on
fire in front of Queen Victoria statue.
Quite n large body Of police were present.
but offered no resistance to the paraders.
When the premier eiigy had been part
ly burned the party cut it down, with the
remark There goes a cursed serpent.
The queens statue was much blackened.
After marching through the west end of
the city the crowd returned to Champ de
Mars, where the demonstration is now
breaking up.