Red River Becomes Canadian.
The union of Red River Settlement with Canada was in the air in 1857. In
a letter to his brother, Mr. Black, after discussing the reasons given
by the settlers for the change, says in his own cautious way: "I do not
know whether Canadian annexation will much better them. However, it
looks as if the time was come for a change, and if we suffer some
inconvenience during the transition period perhaps 'the good time
coming' may compensate for all. I have taken no part for or against the
movement. I do not think it is good for ministers to jump into the
maelstrom of politics. Let them stop till they are pushed in. I have my
views and preferences, _and aiblins it wadna hae taen a muckle dunch to
ding me in_, but in the meantime I am better pleased to be out."
While Mr. Black was thus so politic the leaders among the people of Red
River were by no means undecided. The movement seems to have taken so
strong a form that the greater part of the people, who were not
immediately connected with the Hudson's Bay Company, strongly favored
it.
Ten or eleven years before this, the desire for self-government took a
much more disagreeable form. Petitions from some of the people of Red
River at that time were to the American Government asking it to "annex
the Red River Territory to the United States, and promising assistance
against the Hudson's Bay Company in case of war."
BUT WE SHALL BE FREE.
This shameful proposal had completely failed, but now a large petition
to "The President of the Executive Council, Toronto, Canada," was signed
by "Roderick Kennedy and 574 others," reciting their grievances, and
appealing for reception by Canada. The petition says: "We love the
British Name! we are proud of that glorious fabric, the British
Constitution, raised by the wisdom, cemented and hallowed by the blood
of our forefathers.... It will be seen, therefore, that we have no other
choice than the Canadian plough and printing press, or the American
rifle and fugitive slave law."
One of the most active and influential men in this movement was the Hon.
David Gunn, the leading elder in the Little Britain congregation. A
Caithness Highlander, he had come out in Lord Selkirk's time, had been
schoolmaster, meteorological observer, Smithsonian agent, and now took a
leading part in all public matters. Being the literary man of the
movement, he wrote a document setting forth very well the advantages of
the Red River country, and showing the profit the country would be to
Canada. This statement may be found in the government publications of
the time. Donald Gunn lived for many years after and became a member of
the Legislative Council of Manitoba after Confederation.
Canada made a strong effort under the leadership of Chief Justice
Draper and others to obtain the Northwest, and the British Commons
ordered a complete investigation by committee into the case, but it took
a number of years more to bring about the desired result.
CANADIAN SETTLERS.
Immediately after this movement, Canadian settlers began to drop by ones
and twos into the Red River Settlement. An important exploration of the
Red River, Assiniboine, and Saskatchewan Valleys took place by Henry
Youle Hind, and the report of this was at the time a mine of interesting
and useful information. The well-known Dr. Schultz arrived in 1859. Two
English-Canadians, Messrs. Buckingham and Coldwell, came to the
settlement at this time with a printing press, and began to publish the
_Nor'-Wester_, the first newspaper of the country. This paper soon
passed into other hands, and had a stormy existence, being regarded by
many, certainly by the Hudson's Bay Company, as a disturber of the
peace. The arrival of a number of aggressive and determined men during
this decade introduced much strife into the hitherto quiet and
easy-going settlement, and the weakness of the Hudson's Bay Company,
which was rather uncertain of its powers, encouraged restless spirits to
insubordination. The formation of what was called a "Canadian party"
during this time certainly did not improve the chances of a peaceful and
speedy union of the country with Canada. Shortly after the transfer the
writer remembers Mr. Black when speaking of the disturbed and clamorous
times through which we were passing, sighing for "the peaceful days of
the old Red River." Oh! but responded the writer, in his youthful
Canadian enthusiasm, "Surely you would not have the broad acres of Red
River locked up from cultivation! Life is hardly worth living without
progress!" "Better fifty years of Europe than a cycle in Cathay." "Well,
perhaps so," said Mr. Black, "but there are animals that like to lie at
the bottom of the pool and bask in peace and quiet."
THE GRASSHOPPERS.
The steady flow of small groups of Canadians to the banks of the Red and
Assiniboine rivers, and the interest taken by a few of the
representatives in the Canadian Parliament led to negotiations of a more
definite kind between the Canadian government, the Imperial government
and the Hudson's Bay Company. In the year 1868 a destructive visitation
of grasshoppers took place in the Red River Settlement. Any one who has
not seen this locust invasion cannot imagine it. The pictures given by
the Prophet Joel were reproduced. Myriads of voracious insects ate up
every green thing, and heaps of their dead, decaying and putrid, filled
the air with disgusting odors.
Sympathy in Britain and America was awakened for the people left without
food in Red River Settlement. The Hudson's Bay Company gave £6,000 stg.
to relieve the distress, and Canada sent her quota. Mr. John Black, as a
member of the Relief Executive, took an active part in relieving the
distress, and was in his element in comforting the discouraged and the
suffering. The Canadian government determined on a plan of assistance
which led to serious complications, though at the time, it seemed
[missing word]
JUDICIOUS CHARITY.
The Canadian government thought it better to give public work to the
destitute than to bestow indiscriminate charity. Accordingly they
undertook to build the wagon road from Fort Garry to the Lake of the
Woods, which has since been known as the Dawson Road. This was really a
work of much importance, the distance of 110 miles through the wet
country being much shorter than the long circuit by Winnipeg River and
Lake Winnipeg. Though begun with the most benevolent intention it was
not long before the question was raised by what right the Canadian
government undertook it when they did not own the territory.
The Canadian agents, Messrs. Snow and Mair, who were in charge of the
work, paid all those who chose to work upon the road, but there were
questions as to the rate of wages, method of payment, and the like, that
became bitter enough.
Trifling remarks of the contractors and their assistants, as to the new
state of affairs likely to come to the country, to their seizure of
land, and dispossession of the old settlers and halfbreeds, were told
about, and a very disagreeable state of feeling was thus engendered.
"The Canadian Party" was certainly most unwise in its attitude to the
old settlers of the country, though it is quite evident also that
unreasonable suspicion took possession of the people of Red River.
The leaders of opinion in the settlement were, however, in favor of the
change to join fortunes with Canada. Mr. Black was most outspoken in
favor of the advantage it would be to have Canadian law established, and
to be brought in closer touch with his own church, and the brethren
from whom for twenty years he had been in a measure severed.
THE FLAME BURSTS OUT.
The negotiations between Canada and the Hudson's Bay Company had been
favorable, the wide fields of the Northwest were to become Canadian, and
a million and a half of dollars were to make up the loss to the veteran
company. Hon. William McDougall was chosen as first Governor and was
sent by way of Minnesota and Dakota to his new vice-royalty.
Suddenly one of the Canadian party, on October 22, 1869, appeared before
the Master of Fort Garry and made affidavit that forty French
halfbreeds, fully armed and equipped, had taken possession of the
Queen's highway, some nine miles south of Fort Garry, and proposed to
prevent Mr. McDougall, the new Governor, entering the colony. This
startling news proved to be true and was a great surprise to the Company
and to all the English-speaking people of Red River. All seemed
paralyzed. Some were afraid of bloodshed, some thought the demonstration
of the French was mere bravado, some that after a parley with the
incoming Governor it would be arranged by his giving a promise of just
treatment and equal rights. The inactivity of the civil authorities
encouraged Riel, the French halfbreed leader of the unruly Metis.
Riel was a vain-glorious fellow, and he must do something brilliant. The
party defending the "barriere" at St. Norbert began to tamper with the
mails. Next, though most of his followers opposed it, Riel, by a
_coup-de-main_, quartered a number of his men in the Fort, much to the
disgust of the Hudson's Bay officers. Here again there was criminal
inactivity on the part of the authorities.
Riel, the dictator, became still more bold, and issued a call to the
parishes to send delegates to a meeting in the Fort. A show of
opposition, even at this stage, on the part of the English-speaking
people would probably have checked the insolent desperado at the Fort.
The feeling of disgust on the part of the English at the impudent
assumption of power by Riel was strong. Why, then, it may be asked, did
not the spirit of their race assert itself at all hazards?
DIVIDED COUNSELS.
The answer is easily given. Jealousy and rivalry prevailed among the
English speaking people themselves. The leader in the Canadian party was
regarded as a selfish and unscrupulous man. He had for years instilled
discontent through the columns of the _Nor'-Wester_. Many of the people
of the settlement disliked him intensely. The incoming governor seemed
to the people to be simply the shadow of this man. Colonel Dennis, the
head of the surveying party was personally popular, but lacked
penetration and decision. Had Governor McTavish, who unfortunately was
in poor health, been able to make a call on the loyalty of the people,
all would have been well, but this sentiment of distrust and dislike
prevented it, and nothing was done. The Bishop of Rupert's Land declared
he had gone to the first meeting of the Council of Assiniboine "prepared
to recommend a forcible putting down of the insurrection." Mr. Black was
as firm as any man could be against the arrogant impostor who held the
Fort. Mr. Bannatyne, who understood the French people thoroughly, was
forward in endeavoring to avert the disaster, but inaction, arising from
mutual hatred, lost the opportunity, and encouraged by this, the French
halfbreeds in the Fort grew to be six hundred in number.
TOO LATE.
Then it was too late. The Canadian garrison in Dr. Schultz's store but
aggravated the feeling; the gathering of the English halfbreeds and
others in Kildonan church only roused bitterness without accomplishing
anything. It was useless to throw water on the fire, after standing and
gazing listlessly at the blaze till it had grown strong. The stealing by
Riel and his followers at the "barriere" of goods which were being
imported to the settlement, the breaking open of the stores and looting
the cellars of the Fort by his hungry horde, the killing of Scott, the
suffering of the prisoners confined in Fort Garry, and the loud
vapouring and personal insults of the insolent chief of the "New Nation"
were part of the penalty inflicted on the people of the country, for the
masterly inactivity arising from divided counsels, which had been shown.
Mr. Black and the Highland parish stood sullenly by amazed and disgusted
at the current of events. With few exceptions the whole parish would
have responded to the call of authority, but the call never came. Mr.
McDougall issued a proclamation when he was no Governor, Col. Dennis was
divided in his mind and had no real authority, the true source of
power--the Company--felt itself unable to act, and in the meantime the
rebellion triumphed.
THE COLLAPSE.
The rebellion had been agoing for two months, and Riel seemed at the
summit of his power, when, two days after Christmas, Donald A. Smith, a
prominent member of the Hudson's Bay Company, arrived from Canada, at
Fort Garry. The Canadian government had realized its blunder, and now
sought to do by negotiation what it should have done three months
before. If instead of the hasty visit of Hon. Joseph Howe, which itself
did some good, two members of the government, one French and the other
English, had come up and conferred with the people, there would have
been no rebellion. It is so easy to be wise after the event! Mr. Smith
was virtually a prisoner in Riel's hands, was watched by him with
suspicion, and was treated as discourteously by the petty tyrant as he
dared to do. However, by degrees, the Commissioner, who displayed great
tact as well as decision, began to sap the foundation of Riel's
authority. A monster meeting of the people was held January 19th, in the
open air at Fort Garry, with the thermometer at 20 degrees below zero.
Riel, with the true instincts of a desperado, had seized a number of the
papers sent by the Governor-General of Canada. The mass meeting,
however, resulted in a demand for the election of representatives to
consider the invitation from Mr. Smith to formulate their grievances.
One of the most useful and trusted men at this time in the Red River
settlement was A. G. B. Bannatyne, merchant and postmaster, in the
village of Winnipeg, near Fort Garry. Mr. Bannatyne was the real
representative chosen to the convention for Winnipeg, but an American
mob by force elected one of themselves. Mr. Bannatyne acted as
intermediary between the English and French, and long after wielded much
influence in Winnipeg. He was, however, openly opposed to the leader of
the Canadian party.
Step by step the power of Riel waned until on the 4th of March,
probably to awe the people and regain his weakening power, he committed
the desperate act of executing Thomas Scott, a Canadian, contrary to the
pleadings of Donald A. Smith, Mr. Bannatyne and others. That was the
beginning of the end. The party to meet the Canadian government, bearing
a Bill of Rights, left soon after for Ottawa. The news of the execution
of Scott threw Canada into a blaze. Ten thousand volunteers would have
reported in a day to go to Red River, if they had been called. The name
of Riel was despised and hated throughout the English-speaking parishes
and by many of the French. The Canadian government busied itself in
passing the Manitoba Act, which established a province in a part of
Rupert's Land. The Wolseley expedition started as soon as the spring
opened, and the followers of Riel began to leave him. The back of the
rebellion was broken. Late in August, 1870, the vanguard of the
expedition reached Fort Garry. Shortly before their arrival Riel and two
of his lieutenants left the Fort. The 60th regiment were anxious to have
a brush with the rebels, but the three captains, as the troops appeared
in the distance, "folded their tents like the Arabs and silently stole
away."
RESTORING PEACE.
The coming of Governor Archibald and the establishment of Canadian
institutions took place in the same year as the arrival of the
expedition. But it took years to establish peace. The writer came to
Manitoba in the year after this, and well remembers the bitterness and
hatred which continually showed themselves. The two old English-speaking
factions struggled for supremacy. The influx of new people in due time,
however, overcame the feuds.
The sentiment against Riel and his associates burned as strongly years
after as it did in the time of the troubles. Peace never came really
until in Chief Justice Wood's court Riel and Lepine were found guilty of
murder and sedition. The springs of action in communities are hard to
trace, but it is plain to see that the burning questions which have
agitated Manitoba, and through her the whole Dominion, since that time,
have gained their intensity from the terrible months--for they were
nothing short of that--from November to March, of the Red River
rebellion.
Undoubtedly the heat of feeling of the "Canadian party" included for a
time Mr. Black as being one of the other wing of the English-speaking
people. But in his case this soon passed away. His personal character,
his kindly and friendly manner, his open hospitality, and his unwavering
loyalty to British institutions made new-comers find in the "Apostle of
Red River" a friend, willing to aid all. Some of the more extreme of the
so-called "Canadian party" attempted to misinterpret a casual remark of
the good old pioneer to his disadvantage, but it was not accepted
generally, and a few years after Mr. Black was as acceptable as a
preacher to the rising congregation of Winnipeg as in his own beloved
Kildonan. Often, often did he commiserate the people compelled to go
through such an experience as that of 1869-70.