Little Falls transcript., 1885-04-10

Cne government OF UDe HUDSON Bay COM
panys territory, and Dec. l, 1869, was SUBJ
sequently fixed as the date OF the transfer.
As the expiry of the charter had only de-
prived the company of it's special licenses
and privileges, and not Of it's original terri
tory, il was necessary for the government to
purchase the territory. The price agreed
upon was $500 900. which looks like very
possessions involved These proceedings
awakened alarm in the hearts of the French
half-breed settlers whose rude houses lined
the banks Of the Red and Assinaboine rivers.
These people were mainly the descendants
Of the early traders, trappers and employees
of the Hudson's Bay company. They We're
in the main an untutored people except for
such instruction as they received from their
priests. Each head of family had his little
strip of land which he cultivated, and the
dwellings, Of the people wee princi-
% %SaE hed Sf ee lands he ta stef BEEN ded one %he
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
perfectly secure in the possession thereof.
Their state had been the Hudson's Bay CON-
pany. The rule of the company had been in
the main mild and benetcent and, although
there had been occasional complaints against
the company for arbitrariness in connection
with trading-for it fixed it's own prices, and
hunters and traders were compelled to ac-
cept them or nothing-the people were gen.
orally well 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
slons 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 murmuring, and as the time ap-
preached, when the transfer was to be COM
summated, the settlers Of the Assinaboine and
Red River districts began to organize, with
Louis Riel at their head They drew up a
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 a two-thirds vote over
the veto Of the executive: third free homestead
and preeemption iaW similar TO that OF t the
land to be donated to the support OF schools and
construction of roads and bridges; fifth, treaties
with the Indian tribes calculated to secure peace
III 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 the masters of
the country. "A provisional government was
organized at Fort Garry, with John Brousse
as president, Louis Riel commander chief
triot O'Donoghue was virtually secretary of
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
accomplished and without bloodshed In
the meantime Gov. McDougall had attempt
ed to interest the hdians in his cause, and
made some futile attempts to gain posses
sion of his province. counter-re volution
was also attempted by the Ioyalists, and one
council Of the provisional governInentw was not
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,
summer OF 1870, until Sir Garnet Wolseley's
arrival with British troops
s%t RIEL ABDIcATEs.
Instead of holding their ground, Riel and
his co1npatriots fled from Fort Garry and
crossed the United States line, leaving their
guns and ammunition behind them. Sir
Garnet, on the Oath Of August. took peace
able possession of the Fort and issued his
famous orders Riel was afterward ban
ished for five years Such was the
Red river rebellion Of lS69-7O.
It was practically a war without bloo odshed,
and contemporary history relates many
acts of clemency and kindness on the part OF
the rebel leader, who did not seem disposed
at any time to pursue q sanguinary policy
He has been severely criticised by friends Of
the movement for his course In vacaIing the
country when he had practically everything
iii his own hands General sentiment, now
ever, Is inclined TO approve Of his course as
very prudent one In 1877 there was an
attempt to renew the rebellion. but it speed
sily collapsed In this campaign there were
interested company OF about seYenty-Gve
Fenians under ten O'Neil These camped
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 the treach-
cry Of Riel.
The actual transfer of the Hudson Bay
possessions had been delayed by the rebel
lion, and did not actually take place until
/ July 15. 1870. Mr.. Archibald, the lieutenant
governor Of the new Canadian province,
nrYI we'd 9n1,k z After. $hta com mi exfnna were