The Northern Pacific farmer., 1885-04-09


'on1monly Known as Regina but in former years,
the map: E Is further west than Fort gu Appel
Gen. : In many cases, however; the hsney
in the cafe # tie G1art; EHt YrdSrs Wsre even
given that the money should be g1ven Us tttt;:s
care of parish priests or the heads of families
Lands were alao taken out Of chancery and
sold out rapidly, and land sharlts were about
making all they could by taking advantage
OF the peculiar feature OF the infant provis-
ion. The half breeds themselves were an
easy going people. and the lands and scrip
granted to heads Of families were in many
eases squande1ed Doubtless there were
numerous abuses Of this kind, but the law
Of Maait0ba, and they took full advantage
Of IT Now, beyond the contines OF Manitoba,
i'll rhS Northwest Territory, lay a few half
breed secti8ns, for the itihabitants Of which
no provision was made in the ManitQba act
AS matter of fact, the Inhabitants OF these
land at the time. The st. Laurent district,
the seat of the present uprising, was among
these sections. ~
THE AGITATION At ST. LAURENT 80:
About ten years ago, however, the settlers
of this district began to wake up to the fact
that they should receive some consideration,
and asked to be placed on the same footing
with regard to homesteads and lands as the
half-b breeds Of Manitoba. Later dominion
surveyors were sent into the county t0 lay
out the lands Here the same difficulty was
met as in the Red and Assinaboine
river districts. The half-breeds. accord
ing to, their, French custom, had laid
along the banks of the Saskatche-
wan and it's branches. and the surveyors
were of course 6" ~-lpelled to destroy this ar
rangement. Tie people earnestly protested:
They c,so renewed their claims for grants of
24O acres per capita, and from that time to
this the agitation has been kept up. Various
complications have arisen in the meantime,
and complaints have been made Of delays
and arbitrary acts Oh the part Of the govern
tnent !. .Riel was again called upoi for
counsel and advice. He was visited in Mou-
tana, where he has heen living, by depu-
tation of the alf-breeds and in response to
their appeal went into the st. Laurent
country. The half breeds, in the meantime,
had laid their grievances before the domin-
ion parliament at Ottawa. Last September
they held meeting at st Laurent, at which
they adopted a bill Of rights, of which the
following is the substance:.
First, the subdivision into provinces OF the
Northwest territories; second. the half breeds
to receive the same grants and other advantages
as the Manitoba half-breeds; third, patents to
be issued at once to the colonists in possession;
fourth, the sale of half million acres OF dom1n-
ion lands, the proceeds to be applied to the es.
adjustment In tho hslf-breed 4 settlements OF
and to the equipment Of the poorer half breeds
with seed grain and Implements: ffth the res
ervation Of 100 townships of swamp land for
during the next l2O years; sixth, a grant Of at
least 81 900 for the maintenance Of an tnstitu-
tton to be conducted by the nuns in each half
breed settlement; and seventh, better provision
for the support of the Indians.
The last item, it is said, was inserted by
Riel in order to please Poundmaker, an In
dian chief who has made common cause
with the half-breeda The bill of rights ap-
the rebels have any idea OF obtaining, but it
is said that Monsignor Grandin, the Roman
Catholic bishop of that region, and most of
the English-s speaking settlers are In favor of
it. Since Riel's presence in the Saskatche-
wan country he has been actively at the
head of the movement for rights, and under
his leadership the forces have organized and
the present rebellion has been engineered.
The events of the conflict are still fresh in
the memory of all
THE PRESENT REBELLION.
The rebellion war started in the early
part of last week. At first the do
minion government professed to con-
portance. but the cutting of the telegraph
lines and the threatening uprising of the
Indians all through the Saskatchewan terri
tory az we'll as the imminent danger in which
the Canadian Pacific railroad is placed has
thoroughly aroused them, and troops are
being rapidly hurried to the front by special
trains as fast as they can be prepared to take
the field. The exact strength of Riel's forces
is not known. It is said to he composed OF
500 to 1,5OO men, armed with Remington
and Winchester rifles, and Gen. Middleton
who is to command the government troops
than 1,5OO men. The first troops left Win
nipeg for the scene of the rebellion: on Thurs
day of last week. They comprised six com
panies of the Nineteenth battalion, in all 270
men; to these are to be added the regu-
lar mounted police already on the ground
and several military companies organized by
the settlers residing in the section where the
rebellion is in progress. The troops, however
are at Qu'Appelle, waiting for reinforce
ments The first regular battle between the
rebels and the police took place last Thurs
day afternoon. Ten civilians of Prince AL
bert and two policemen were killed and fou'
civilians and seven constables wounded
The rebel loss was fifteen killed. A secono
fight at Duck lake. on Friday, resulted in the
killing and wounding of thirteen policemen
and volunteers and the death of forty rebels
Fort Carleton was also destroyed on the 27tf
by Col Irvine, of the police force, to prevent
it's falling into the hands of the rebels. Vol
unteers are being called for by the govern
ment, and are responding in large numbers
As fast as equipped they are being pushed
to the front, and 500 men at least will be
ready to leave Winnipeg for the scene Of
war In few days.
THE INDIANS AT BATTLEFoRD.
Winnipeg Special: The following was re-
ceived this morning:
Battleford, March 31.-An residents in town
and settlers in the netghborhood have moved
their families into the barracks. Several hun
dred Indians came down from Poundmaker'
reserve yesterday, raiding formers houses OF
their way, and are now in possession Of tn
Msthodist school, helping themselves
their actions belle their words Thre
and as many mounted, and forty-one rebels ar
known to be killed. The Indians who are OF
the south side of Battle, river want the Indial
agent to go there and see them, but he will onl,
consent to q conference with the chiefs on mid
die grounds. The Crees and Stones of tn
Eagle hills refuse to join in the disturbance.
The following was received at Qu'Appellt
at IL o'clock to day:
Members of the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth com
panies; Nineteenth battalion. under command o
Maj. Boswell. arrived at Fort Qu'Appelle Of