The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-04-10

the government of the Hudson Bay COM
pany's territory, and Dec. l, 1869, was sub
sequently fixed rs the date of the transfer.
As the expiry of the charter had only de-
prived the company of Its special licenses
and privileges, and not, of its original terri
tory, it was necessary for the government to
purchase the territory. The price agreed
upon was $500, 600, which looks like a very
possessions involved These proceedings
awakened alarm in the hearts of the French
half-breed settlers whose rud houses lined
the banks Of the Red and Assinaboine rivers.
These people We're mainly the descendants
of the early traders, trappers and employees
of the Hudson's Bay company. They were
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
paliy log nuts. 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 Hudson's Bay COM
pany. The rule OF the company had been in
the main mild and beneticent; and, although
there had been occasional complaints against
the company for arbitrariness in connection
with t~rading-for 1t fixed its own prices, and
hunters and traders were compelled to &C
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 possess
sions and in regard to their civil rights. The
course OF the British government in placing
them unde 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 APP
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
and presumption law. similar to that of the
United States; fourth, a portion OF the public
land to he donated to the support Of schools and
construction of roads and bridges; fifth, treaties
with the Indian tribes calculated to secure peace
In the future.
William McDougall, who had been APP
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.
the posts and forts, and We're the 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
triot OrDonoghne was virtually secretary of
state md secretary of war. The governor
surrounded himself with twenty-four coun-
sellers. 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
accomplished and without bloodshed. In
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
council of the provisional government was not
always harmonious, the Scotch and English
elements coming into occasional confilct
with the French, and at times there seemed
peter out altogether. 1t retained possession
however, all through the winter, spring and
summer of 1870, until Sir Garnet Wolseley's
arrival with British troops
REL ADVOCATES. ~
Instead of holding their ground, Riel and
his colnpatriots 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 bis
famous orders. Riel was afterward ban.
ished for five years Such WAS the
Red river rebellion of lS69-7O
1t was practically a war without bloodshed
and contemporary history relates many
acts of clemency and kindness or the part Of
the rebel leader, who did not seem disposed
at any time to pursue a sanguinary policy.
He has bee. 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, how
ever. is inclined to approve of his curse as
q very prudent one. In 1871 there was az
attempt to renew the rebellion, but it speed.
lily collapsed. In this campaign there were
interested a COMPANY OF about s~eventy-fv.
Fenians under Gen. O'Neil These campet
in the woods near Pembina, md captured
the British post opposite that place. Al
officer who was with this expedition claimed
that the enterprise failed through the treach
cry of Tiei.
The actual transfer of the Hudson Ba,
possessions had been delayed by the rebel
lion, and did not actually take place unit
July 15. 1870. Mr., Archibald, the lieutenan
governor Of the new Canadian province