Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-01
LOUIS RIEL'S TRIAL.
His Lawyers Bring Up the Insanity Plea,
md the Prisoner Objects.

His Lawyers Bring Cp the Insanity Plea,
md the Prisoner Objects.
A Regina On. W. IT, special says:
DR.. Ray, attending physician at Beau
fort Asylum, Quebec, during Riel's
confinement, and DR.. Clarke, medical
superintendent of the Ontario Lunatic
Asylum, who gave evidence to-day as
to Riel's insanity, interviewed the pri-
soner yesterday morning. He i'm
pressed them as a religious crank.
Eight Crown witnesses were exam
ined, giving most direct evidence against
the prisoner, who all throughout was
shown to be the leader. There seems
now little hope Of his escape, and Riel's
counsel have ceased to fight, intending
to build up their entire defence on the
insanity plea.
Mr.. Brown put in twenty documents
identified as in Riel's handwriting and
signed by him, all of which were d.
rected to the half-breeds and Indians,
informing them of his success at Duck
lake and Fish creek, and urging them
to raid the forts and stores and to cap
ture the police ammunition and arms
and join the rebels as soon as possible.
Riel was known to be the leader of the
government and Gabriel Dumont the d.
rector Of military movements. Riel Sc
lected the ground for the defence at Ba-
toche. Riel's motives in the rebellion
are shown to be to obtain revenge for
his treatment during and subsequent to
the Red-River rebellion. One docu-
ment found among Riel's papers con-
tanned draft Of his foreign policy to
be adopted after he captured Canada
from Great Britain. He was going to
give the Irish people of the United
States one seventh of the country, and
provide for the Hungarians, Bavarians,
Jews, and Poles. Another document
proclaimed the rottenness Of the Church
Of Rome, and declared his intention Of
estab fishing new religion.
General Middleton was examined,
but nothing new was elected from his
evidence except that he took the credit
for ordering the charge at Batoche, and
deemed Riel religious crank.
Major Crozier swore that his COM
mand was fred on first at Duck lake.
One witness testified how Riel offered
to 60 to any place the Dominion Gov
eminent desired, if the Government
would indemnify him.
QUARRELLING WITH HIS LAWYERS.
A remarkable scene occurred during
the afternoon. Riel interrupted the
proceedings and asked to be allowed to
examine a witness himself. The coun-
sci, he said, came from afar and'did not
understand the circumstances, and
neglected to ask witnesses important
questions. Counsel admitted that there
was rupture, and that the prisoner
refused information and assistance in
every way. Riel said he could not al
low his moral integrity to suffer, rs
counsel was seeking to establish
his insanity. He did not care
for mere animal existence il
not accompanied by the mental dignity
Of an intelligent being. A long dispute
followed. Prisoner and counsel retired
to confer, but reached no agreement.
Riel insisted that his claim be heard.
Counsel stated that they would aban-
don the defence il Riel interfered in the
case. Riel persisted, and asked to have
the counsel discharged. He would con-
duct the case. The legal authorities
voted, and the Court ruled that counsel
should defend him. 1t is expected that
further quarrels will result in their
abandonment Of the defence.
FOR THE DRFaNCK.
The case for the defence began this
morning, counsel examining Philip
Garneau, secretary of Risl's Council,
and Fathers Andre and Fourmand, of
Batoche. Garnesu's evidence showed
Risrs strange conduct during the re-
bsllion. He proclaimed himself great
prophet, and prcphssied daily. He
proclaimed his intention Of oonquering
Canada, Great Britain, France, and Italy,
and setting himself on the Papal throne.
Fathers Andre and Fourmand argued
that Rel acted like . mailman, especially
onreligion or politics. Hscould not con-
troll himself in discussing either subject.
He became wild and imperious, and
threatened to burn all the churches and
expel the priests from the land. At .
meeting of priests Of the locality it was
decided that Riel WAS not responsible
for his actions in connection with poll
tics and religion. They believed him
crazy.
The afternoon was consumed in re-
ceiving the testimony Of insanity ex.
marta Lar Rar nuadfcal anaaris,