Fort Garry, 10th October, 1870.
W. F. Butler, Esq., 69th Regiment.
SIR,--Adverting to the interviews between his honour the
Lieutenant-Governor and yourself on the subject of the proposed mission
to the Saskatchewan, I have it now in command to acquaint you with the
objects his honour has in view in asking you to undertake the mission,
and also to define the duties he desires you to perform.
In the first place, I am to say that representations have been made from
various quarters that within the last two years much disorder has
prevailed in the settlements along the line of the Saskatchewan, and
that the local authorities are utterly powerless for the protection of
life and property within that region. It is asserted to be absolutely
necessary for the protection, not only of the Hudson Bay Company's Forts,
but for the safety of the settlements along the river, that a small body
of troops should be sent to some of the forts of the Hudson Bay Company,
to assist the local authorities in the maintenance of peace and order.
I am to enclose you a copy of a communication on this subject from Donald
A. Smith, Esq., the Governor of the Hudson Bay Company, and also. an
extract of a letter from W. J. Christie, Esq., a chief factor stationed
at Fort Carlton, which will give you some of the facts which have been
adduced to show the representations to be well grounded.
The statements made in these papers come from the officers of the Hudson
Bay Company, whose views may be supposed to be in some measure affected
by their pecuniary interests.
It is the desire of the Lieutenant-Governor that you should examine the
matter entirely from an independent point of view, giving his honour for
the benefit of the Government of Canada your views of the state of
matters on the Saskatchewan in reference to the necessity of troops being
sent there, basing your report upon what you shall find by actual
examination.
You will be expected to report upon the whole question of the existing
state of affairs in that territory, and to state your views on what may
be necessary to be done in the interest of peace and order.
Secondly, you are to ascertain, as far as you can, in what places and
among what tribes of Indians, and what settlements of whites, the
small-pox is now prevailing, including the extent of its ravages and
every particular you can ascertain in connexion with the rise and the
spread of the disease. You are to take with you such small supply of
medicines as shall be considered by the Board of Health here suitable and
proper for the treatment of small-pox, and you will obtain written
instructions for the proper treatment of the disease, and will leave a
copy thereof with the chief officer of each fort you pass, and with any
clergyman or other intelligent person belonging to settlements outside
the forts.
You will also ascertain, as far as in your power, the number of Indians
on the line between Red River and the Rocky Mountains; the different
nations and tribes into which they are divided and the particular
locality inhabited, and the language spoken, and also the names of the
principal chiefs of each tribe.
In doing this you will be careful to obtain the information without in
any manner leading the Indians to suppose you are acting under authority,
or inducing them to form any expectations based on your inquiries.
You will also be expected to ascertain, as far as possible, the nature of
the trade in furs conducted upon the Saskatchewan, the number and
nationality of the persons employed in what has been called the Free
Trade there, and what portion of the supplies, if any, come from the
United States territory, and what portion of the furs are sent thither;
and generally to make such inquiries as to the source of trade in that
region as may enable the Lieutenant-Governor to form an accurate idea of
the commerce of the Saskatchewan.
You are to report from time to time as you proceed westward, and forward
your communications by such opportunities as may occur. The
Lieutenant-Governor will rely upon your executing this mission with all
reasonable despatch.
(Signed) S. W. HILL, P. Secretary.