Huntsville gazette., 1885-07-25
THE RIEL TRIAL.

Tho Case Opened at Regina-Dumont and
Dumaise Anxious to Testify In His
Behalf-The Substance OF What Their
Testimony Will Be-General Middleton
to be Asked Some Irrelevant Questions.
REGINA, N. w. T., July 2l.-Increasing
interest is manifested in Riers trial, and
the Sheriff has been bothered with appli
cations for admittance. A report was
current that Riel was very sick yester-
day. The truth, however, is that he was
only slightly indisposed, no doubt as a
result of confinement. The trial began
yesterday at eleven O'Clock. OF course
little was done beyond empanneling the
Jury. The defense will raise the ques-
tion of jurisdiction of the presiding mag
istrate, and also the constitutionalitY of
the court, and will contend that Mr..
Richardson, being magistrate for Assini-
boine, has no jurisdiction over offenses
committed in the Saskatche wan District.
General Middleton and Colonel Her
chimer arrived at half past three O'Clock
yesterday morning from Winnipeg to
give evidence. The defense limited that
General Middleton will be asked several
very important questions regarding the
alleged looting by troops, etc.
Riel's counsel received the following
letter yesterday from Messrs Carter &
ClaYberg, attorneys:
HELENA, MONT, July 20, 1885.
Hon. Chas. Fitzgerald, Regina:
DEAR SIR: Replying to your esteemed
favor of the 9th inst, we beg leave to state
that Dumont appears very armly inclined
toward the case of Riel, and If his testi-
mony could be introduced by deposition,
we are satisfied that it would be 2f m a.
terial aid in any line OF defense You may
adopt. The general deductions to be Or avn
from the story of Dumont, in so far
as Riel is concerned are in sub
stance these: First-In the summer of
1884 public meeting Of the half breed set
Rel. whom they assumed to be familiar with
the rights guaranteed to them by treaty
with the Government. Dumont was selected
by the meeting as one of two persons to pro
natius Mission, Montana Territory,
for Riel. Riel returned with
Dumont and remained in the Northwest Ter
rtory without any intention of making his
home there, but as the selected advocate OF
the peoples rights under existing treaty
stlpulations. Riel always counseled peace
fruitless, he publicly printed his inten-
ton of leaving the country for Mon
tana, for about three weeks prior
to the opening of the rebellion. He was
prevented by the people from returning to
his home. The war commcn ed and was
conducted under the direction of q council
of fourteen persons. OF this conncil Riel
was not member. Dumont had sole charge
of the troops, and was accountable only to
the council of fourteen, Riel did not
participate in any engagement until
the final charge, when he was
drawn from shelter with the body
of the population. Dumaise will support this
statement of Dumont. Both OF these men
are here anxious to send helping hand to
their friend. If, in the outline of facts stated
you discover anything likely to prove avail
able and useful to your client, please inform
US of your pleasure aud we will be pleased
to conform thereto.
Very truly yours,
CARTER & CLAYBERG.
Mr. Fitzpatrick will have Dumont and
Dumaise present as witnesses II the
Court will allow them to return to Mon
tana unmolested. Otherwise he will try
to put in their evidence taken by commits
sion.