THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION
During the spring of 1870 there had been an agitation in favour of
sending an expedition of troops to the Red River Settlement, to restore
the Queen's authority, to protect the loyal people still there, and
to give security to the exiles who desired to return to their homes.
The Canada First group had taken an active part in this agitation, and
had urged strongly that Colonel Wolseley (now Field-Marshal Viscount
Wolseley) should be sent in command. We knew that under his directions
the expedition would be successfully conducted, and that not only would
he have no sympathy with the enemy, but that he would not be a party
to any dishonest methods or underhand plotting. He had commanded the
camp of cadets at La Prairie in 1865, and had gained the confidence of
them all; afterwards at the camp at Thorold in August and September,
1866, he had nearly all the Ontario battalions of militia pass under
his command, so that there was no man in Canada who stood out more
prominently in the eyes of the people.
Popular opinion fixed upon Colonel Wolseley with unanimity for
the command, and the Government, although very anxious to send
Colonel Robertson Ross, Adjutant-General, could not stem the tide,
particularly as the Mother Country was sending a third of the
expedition and paying a share of the cost, and General Lindsay, who
commanded the Imperial forces in Canada, was fully aware of Colonel
Wolseley's high qualifications and fitness for the position.
The expedition was soon organised under Colonel Wolseley's skilful
leadership, and he started for Port Arthur from Toronto on the 21st
May, 1870. The Hon. George Brown had asked me to go up with the
expedition as correspondent for the _Globe_, and Colonel Wolseley had
urged me strongly to accept the offer and go with him. I should have
liked immensely to have taken part in the expedition, but we were
doubtful of the good faith of the Government, on account of the great
influence of Sir George Cartier and the French Canadian party, and
the decided feeling which they had shown in favour of the rebels. We
feared very much that there would be intrigues to betray or delay the
expedition. I was confident that Colonel Wolseley's real difficulty
would be in his rear, and not in front of him, and therefore I was
determined to remain at home to guard the rear.
From Port Arthur, the first stage of the journey was to Lake
Shebandowan, some forty odd miles. This was the most difficult part of
the work. The Government Road was not finished as had been expected,
and Colonel Wolseley was delayed from the end of May until the 16th
July, before he was able to despatch any of the troops from McNeill's
Bay on Lake Shebandowan.
It will be seen that the expedition was delayed nearly two months in
getting over the first fifty miles of the six hundred and fifty by
water which lay between Prince Arthur's Landing and Fort Garry. This
was caused by the fact that the first fifty miles was uphill all the
way, while the remainder of the journey was mainly downhill. Sir John
A. Macdonald was taken with a very severe and dangerous illness, so
that during this important period the control of affairs passed into
the hands of Sir George Cartier and the French Canadian party. This
caused great anxiety in Ontario, for we could not tell what might
happen. Our committee were very watchful, and from rumours we heard, we
thought it well to be prepared, and on the 13th July, Foster, Grahame
and I prepared a requisition to the Mayor to call a public meeting, to
protest against any amnesty being granted to the rebels; and getting
it well signed by a number of the foremost men in the city, we held
it over, to be ready to have the meeting called on the first sign of
treachery.
About the 18th July, 1870, Haliburton was at Niagara Falls and by
chance saw Lord Lisgar, the Governor-General, and in conversation with
him he learned that Sir George Cartier, Bishop Taché, and Mr. Archibald
(who had been chosen as Lieutenant-Governor of the new province) were
to meet him there in a few days. Haliburton suspected some plot and
telegraphed warning Dr. Schultz at London, Ontario, who sent word to
me, and on the 19th we had a meeting of our committee, and arranged at
once for the public meeting to be held on the 22nd. In the Government
organ, the _Leader_, of the 19th July was a despatch from Ottawa dated
the 18th in the following words:
Bishop Taché will arrive here this evening from Montreal. The Privy
Council held a special meeting on Saturday.
It is stated on good authority that Sir George Cartier will proceed
with Lieutenant-Governor Archibald to Niagara Falls next Wednesday
to induce His Excellency to go to the North-West via Pembina with
Lieutenant-Governor Archibald and Bishop Taché. On their arrival, Riel
is to deliver up the Government to them, and the expeditionary troops
will be withdrawn.
On the next day the same paper had an article which, appearing in the
official organ of the Government, was most significant. It concluded in
the following words:
So far as the expedition is concerned we have no knowledge that there
is any intention to recall it, but we would not be in the least
surprised if the physical difficulties to be encountered should of
itself make its withdrawal a necessity. How much better than incurring
any expense in this way would it be for Sir John Young (Lord Lisgar)
to pay a visit to the new Province, there to assume the reins of the
Government on behalf of the Queen, see it passed over properly to Mr.
Archibald, who is so much respected there, and then establish a local
force, instead of endeavouring to forward foot and artillery through
the almost impassable swamps of the long stretch of country lying
between Fort William and Fort Garry. Should the Government entertain
such an idea as this and successfully carry it out, the time would be
short indeed within which the public would learn to be grateful for
the adoption of so wise a policy.
This gave us the opportunity to take decisive action. We had already
been dreading some such plot which, if successful, would have been
disastrous to our hopes of opening up the North-West. If the expedition
had been withdrawn, what security would the loyalist leaders have had
as to their safety, after the murder of Scott, and the recognition
and endorsation of the murderers? It was essential that the expedition
should go on. On the first suspicion of difficulty, I had written to
Colonel Wolseley and warned him of the danger, and urged him to push
on, and not encourage any messages from the rear. Letters were written
to officers on the expedition to impede and delay any messengers who
might be sent up, and in case the troops were ordered home, the idea
was conveyed to the Ontario men to let the regulars go back, but for
them to take their boats and provisions and go on at all hazards.
Hearing on the 19th that Cartier and Taché were coming through Toronto
the next night on their way to Niagara, our committee planned a hostile
demonstration and were arranging to burn Cartier's effigy at the
station. Something of this leaked out and Lieutenant-Colonel Durie,
District Adjutant-General commanding in Toronto, attempted to arrange
for a guard of honour to meet Cartier, who was Minister of Militia, in
order to protect him. Lt.-Colonel Boxall, of the 10th Royals, who was
spoken to on the subject, said he had an engagement for that evening
near the station, of a nature that would make it impossible for him
to appear in uniform. The information was brought to me. I was at
that time out of the force, but I went to Lt.-Colonel Durie, who was
the Deputy-Adjutant-General, and told him I had heard of the guard of
honour business, and asked him if he thought he could intimidate us and
I told him if we heard any more of it, we would take possession of the
armoury that night, and that we would have ten men to his one, and if
anyone in Toronto wanted to fight it out, we were ready to fight it out
on the streets. He told me I was threatening revolution. I said, "Yes,
I know I am, and we can make it one. A half continent is at stake, and
it is a stake worth fighting for."
Lt.-Colonel Durie telegraphed to Sir George Cartier not to come to
Toronto by railway, and he and Bishop Taché got off the train at
Kingston. Taché went to the Falls by way of the States. Cartier
took the steamer for Toronto, arrived at the wharf in the morning,
transferred to the Niagara boat, and crossed to the Falls. This secrecy
was all we wanted.
About the same time another formal protest was prepared and Dr. Lynch
presented it to his Excellency the Governor-General:--
_To His Excellency_ SIR JOHN YOUNG, Bart., K.C.B., _&c., &c.,
Governor-General, &c., &c._
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY
I have on several occasions had the honour of addressing Your
Excellency on behalf of the loyal portion of the inhabitants of the
Red River Settlement, and having heard that there is a possibility of
the Government favouring the granting of an amnesty for all offences
to the rebels of Red River, including Louis Riel, O'Donohue, Lepine
and others of their leaders, I feel it to be my duty on behalf of the
loyal people of the territory to protest most strongly against an act
that would be unjust to them, and at the same time to place on record
the reasons which we consider render such clemency not only unfair and
cruel, but also injudicious, impolitic, and dangerous.
I therefore beg most humbly and respectfully to lay before Your
Excellency, on behalf of those whom I represent, the reasons which
lead us to protest against the leaders of the rebellion being included
in an amnesty and for which we claim that they should be excluded from
its effects.
(1) A general amnesty would be a serious reflection on the loyal
people of the Red River Settlement who throughout this whole affair
have shown a true spirit of loyalty and devotion to their Sovereign
and to British institutions. Months before Mr. Macdougall left
Canada it was announced that he had been appointed Governor. He had
resigned his seat in the Cabinet, and had addressed his constituents
prior to his departure. The people of the Settlement had read these
announcements, and on the publication of his proclamation in the
Queen's name with the royal arms at its head, they had every reason
to consider that the Queen herself called for their services. Those
services were cheerfully given, they were enrolled in the Queen's name
to put down a rising that was a rebellion--that was trampling under
foot all law and order, and preventing British subjects from entering
or passing through British territory. For this they were imprisoned
for months; for this they were robbed of all they possessed; and for
this, the crime of obeying the call of his Sovereign, one true-hearted
loyal Canadian was cruelly and foully murdered. An amnesty to the
perpetrators of these outrages by our Government we hold to be a
serious reflection on the conduct of the loyal inhabitants and a
condemnation of their loyalty.
(2) It is an encouragement of rebellion. Riel was guilty of treason.
When he refused permission to Mr. Macdougall, a British subject, to
enter a British territory, and drove him away by force of arms, he
set law at defiance and committed an open act of rebellion. He also
knew that Mr. Macdougall had been nominated Governor, knew that he
had resigned his seat in the Cabinet, knew he had bid farewell to
his constituents; yet he drove him out by force of arms, and when
the Queen's proclamation was issued--for all he knew by the Queen's
authority--he tore it up, scattered the type used in printing it,
defied it, and imprisoned, robbed and murdered those whose only crime
in his eyes was that they had obeyed it. It may be said that Riel knew
that Mr. Macdougall had no authority to issue a proclamation in the
Queen's name; a statement of this kind would lead to the inference
that it was the result of secret information and of a conspiracy
among some in high positions. This had sometimes been suspected by
many, but hitherto has never been believed. An amnesty to Riel and
other leaders would be an endorsation of their acts of treason,
robbery, and murder, and therefore an encouragement to rebellion.
(3) An amnesty is injudicious, impolitic and dangerous, if it includes
the leaders. Some of those who have been robbed and imprisoned, who
have seen their comrade and fellow prisoner led out and butchered
in cold blood, seeing the law powerless to protect the innocent and
punish the guilty, might in that wild spirit of justice, called
vengeance, take the life of Riel or some other of the leaders. Should
this unfortunately happen the attempt by means of law to punish the
avenger would be attended with serious difficulty, and would not
receive the support of the loyal people of the Territory, of the
Canadian emigrants who will be pouring in, or of the people of the
older Provinces. Trouble would arise and further disturbance break
out in the Settlement. It would be argued with much force that Riel
had murdered a loyal man for no crime but his loyalty and that he was
pardoned, and that when a loyal man taking the law into his own hands
executed a rebel and a murderer in vengeance for a murder, he would
be still more entitled to a pardon, and the result would be that the
law could not be carried out. When the enforcement of the law would be
an outrage to the sense of justice of the community, the law would be
treated with contempt. A full amnesty will produce this result, and
bitter feuds and a legacy of internal dissension entailed upon that
country for years to come.
(4) It will destroy all confidence in the administration of law and
maintenance of order. There could be no feeling of security for life,
liberty, or property in a country where treason, murder, robbery and
other crimes had been openly perpetrated, and afterwards condoned and
pardoned sweepingly by the higher authorities.
(5) The proceedings of the insurgent leaders, previous to the attempt
of Mr. Macdougall to enter the Territory, as well as afterwards,
led many to suspect that Riel and his associates were in collusion
with certain persons holding high official positions. Although
suspected, it could not be believed. An amnesty granted now, including
everyone, would confirm these suspicions, preclude the possibility of
dissipating them, and leave a lasting distrust in the honour and good
faith of the Canadian Government.
In respectfully submitting these arguments for Your Excellency's most
favourable consideration, I wish Your Excellency to understand that it
is not the object of this protest to stand in the way of an amnesty
to the great mass of the rebels, but to provide against the pardon of
the ringleaders, those designing men who have inaugurated and kept
alive the difficulties and disturbances in the Red River Settlement,
and who have led on their innocent dupes from one step to another in
the commission of crime by false statements and by appealing to their
prejudices and passions.
I have the honour to be,
Your Excellency's most obe't humble Serv't,
JAMES LYNCH.
QUEEN'S HOTEL, TORONTO,
_29th June_.
This was also given to the Press and widely published.
The meeting for which, as has been said, a requisition had been
prepared, was called for the 22nd July, and in addition to the formal
posters issued by the acting Mayor on our requisition, Foster and I
had prepared a series of inflammatory placards in big type on large
sheets, which were posted on the fences and bill boards all over the
city. There were a large number of these placards; some of them read,
"Is Manitoba to be reached through British Territory? Then let our
volunteers find a road or make one." "Shall French rebels rule our
Dominion?" "Orangemen! is Brother Scott forgotten already?" "Shall our
Queen's Representative go a thousand miles through a foreign country,
to demean himself to a thief and a murderer?" "Will the volunteers
accept defeat at the hands of the Minister of Militia?" "Men of
Ontario! Shall Scott's blood cry in vain for vengeance?"
The public meeting was most enthusiastic, and St. Lawrence Hall was
crowded to its utmost limit. The Hon. Wm. Macdougall moved the first
resolution in a vigorous and eloquent speech; it was as follows:
Resolved, that the proposal to recall at the request of the Rebel
Government the military expedition, now on its way to Fort Garry
to establish law and order, would be an act of supreme folly,
an abdication of authority, destructive of all confidence in
the protection afforded to loyal subjects by a constitutional
Government--a death-blow to our national honour, and calls for a
prompt and indignant condemnation by the people of this Dominion.
Mr. Macdougall in supporting this said that:
There were many of our own countrymen there who had been ill-treated
and robbed of their property, and whose lives had been endangered.
Were we to leave these persons--Whites and Indians--without support?
Was this the way that our Government was to maintain its respect? How
could we expect in that or any other part of the Dominion, that men
would expose themselves to loss of property, imperil their lives,
or incur any hazard whatever, to support a Government that makes
peace with those assailing its authority, and deserts those who have
defended it.
Ex-Mayor F. H. Medcalf seconded this resolution which was unanimously
carried.
The second resolution called for the prompt punishment of the rebels.
It was moved by James D. Edgar (afterwards Sir James D. Edgar,
K.C.M.G.) and seconded by Capt. James Bennett, both members of the
Canada First group.
The third resolution read:
Resolved, in view of the proposed amnesty to Riel and withdrawal of
the expedition, this meeting declares: That the Dominion must and
shall have the North-West Territory in fact as well as in name, and
if our Government, through weakness or treachery, cannot or will not
protect our citizens in it, and recalls our Volunteers, it will then
become the duty of the people of Ontario to organise a scheme of armed
emigration in order that those Canadians who have been driven from
their homes may be reinstated, and that, with the many who desire
to settle in new fields, they may have a sure guarantee against the
repetition of such outrages as have disgraced our country in the past;
that the majesty of the law may be vindicated against all criminals,
no matter by whom instigated or by whom protected; and that we may
never again see the flag of our ancestors trampled in the dust or a
foreign emblem flaunting itself in any part of our broad Dominion.
In moving this resolution, I said, as reported in the Toronto
_Telegraph_:
The indignation meeting held three months since has shown the
Government the sentiments of Ontario. The expedition has been sent
because of these grand and patriotic outbreaks of indignation. Bishop
Taché had offered to place the Governor-General in possession of
British territory. Was our Governor-General to receive possession
of the North-West Territory from him? No! there were young men from
Ontario under that splendid officer Colonel Wolseley who would place
the Queen's Representative in power in that country in spite of
Bishop Taché and without his assistance (loud cheers). We will have
that territory in spite of traitors in the Cabinet, and in spite of a
rebel Minister of Militia (applause). He had said there were traitors
in the Cabinet. Cartier was a traitor in 1837. He was often called a
loyal man, but we could buy all their loyalty at the same price of
putting our necks under their heels and petting them continually. Why
when he was offered only a C.B. his rebel spirit showed out again; he
whined, and protested, and threatened and talked of the slight to a
million Frenchmen, and the Government yielded to the threat, gave him
a baronetcy, patted him on the back, and now he is loyal again for a
spell (laughter and cheers).
I also pointed out how, if the expedition were recalled, we could, by
grants from municipalities, &c., and by public subscription, easily
organise a body of armed emigrants who could soon put down the rebels.
This resolution was seconded by Mr. Andrew Fleming and carried with
enthusiasm.
Mr. Kenneth McKenzie, Q.C., afterwards Judge of the County Court,
moved, and W. A. Foster seconded, the last resolution:
Resolved that it is the duty of our Government to recognise the
importance of the obligation cast upon us as a people; to strive in
the infancy of our confederation to build up by every possible means
a national sentiment such as will give a common end and aim to our
actions; to make Canadians feel that they have a country which can
avenge those of her sons who suffer and die for her, and to let our
fellow Britons know that a Canadian shall not without protest be
branded before the world as the only subject whose allegiance brings
with it no protection, whose patriotism wins no praise.
The result of this meeting, with the comments of the Ontario Press,
had their influence, and Sir George Cartier was obliged to change his
policy. The Governor-General, it was said, took the ground that the
expedition was composed partly of Imperial troops, and was under the
command of an Imperial officer, and could not be withdrawn without the
consent of the Home Government. Sir George Cartier then planned another
scheme by which he hoped to condone the crime which Riel had committed,
and protect him and his accomplices from the punishment they deserved.
This plan, of course, we knew nothing of at the time, but it was
arranged that Mr. Archibald was to follow the Red River expedition
over the route they had taken, for the purpose apparently of going to
Fort Garry along with the troops. It was also planned that, when Mr.
Archibald arrived opposite the north-west angle of the Lake of the
Woods, he was to turn aside, and land at the point where the Snow Road
(so called after Mr. Snow, the engineer in charge of the work) was to
strike the lake, and proceed by land to Fort Garry. Riel was to send
men and horses to meet Mr. Archibald at that point, and he was to be
brought into Fort Garry under the auspices of the Rebel Government, and
take over the control from them before the expedition could arrive.
This is all clearly shown by two letters from Bishop Taché to Riel,
which were found among Riel's papers in Fort Garry after his hurried
flight. They are as follows:
_Letter No. 1._--BISHOP TACHÉ _to_ PRESIDENT RIEL.
MONSIEUR L. RIEL, PRESIDENT,
I had an interview yesterday with the Governor-General at Niagara:
he told me the Council could not revoke its settled decision to send
Mr. Archibald by way of the British Possessions, and for the best of
reasons, which he explained to me, and which I shall communicate to
you later. We cannot therefore arrive together, as I had expected. I
shall not be alone, because I shall have with me people who come to
aid us. Mr. Archibald regrets he cannot come by way of Pembina; he
wishes, notwithstanding, to arrive among us, and before the troops.
Therefore he will be glad to have a road found for him either by the
Point des Chenes or the Lac de Roseaux. I pray you to make enquiry in
this respect, in order to obtain the result that we have proposed. It
is necessary that he should arrive among and through our people. I
am well content with this Mr. Archibald. I have observed that he is
really the man that is needed by us. Already he seems to understand
the situation and the condition of our dear Red River, and he seems
to love our people. Have faith then that the good God has blessed us,
notwithstanding our unworthiness. Be not uneasy; time and faith will
bring us all we desire, and more, which it is impossible to mention,
notwithstanding the expectations of certain Ontarians. We have some
sincere, devoted and powerful friends.
I think of leaving Montreal on the 8th of August, in which case it is
probable I shall arrive towards the 22nd of the same month.
The letter which I brought has been sent to England, as well as those
which I have written myself, and which I have read to you.
The people of Toronto wished to make a demonstration against me,
and, in spite of the exaggerated statements of the newspapers, they
have never dared to give the number of the persons present (?).
Some persons here at Hamilton wished to speak, but the newspapers
discouraged their zealous efforts.
I am here by chance, and remain, as this is Sunday. Salute for me Mr.
O. [O'Donohue?] and others at the Fort. Pray much for me. I do not
forget you.
Your Bishop, who signs himself your best friend,
A. G. DE ST. BONIFACE.
_Letter No. 2._--BISHOP TACHÉ _to_ PRESIDENT RIEL.
BOURVILLE, _5th August_.
M. LE PRÉSIDENT,
I well know how important it is for you to have positive news--I have
something good and cheering to tell you. I had already something
wherewith to console us when the papers published news dear and
precious to all our friends, and they are many. I shall leave on
Monday, and with the companions whom I mentioned to Rev. P. Lestang.
Governor Archibald leaves at the same time, but by another road.
He will arrive before the troops, and I have promised him a good
reception if he comes by the Snow Road. Governor McTavish's house
will suit him, and we will try to get it for him. Mother salutes you
affectionately, as also my uncle. Mlle. Masson and a crowd of others
send kind remembrances to your good mother and sisters. Forget not
Mr. O. and others at the Fort. We have to congratulate you on the
happy result. The _Globe_ and others are furious at it. Let them howl
leisurely--they excite but the pity and contempt of some of their
friends. Excuse me--it is late, and I am fatigued, and to-morrow I
have to do a hard day's work.
Yours devotedly,
A. G. DE ST. BONIFACE.
These letters prove the plot and the object of it. There was also a
most compromising letter from Sir George Cartier, which was taken away
while Colonel Wolseley was a few minutes out of his room, attending to
some urgent business. The suspicion was that it was taken by John H.
McTavish, of the Hudson's Bay Company.
It is possible that the word that had been sent to keep back any
messages from the rear may have delayed and impeded Mr. Archibald's
progress, but whether that be so or not the fact remains that Mr.
Archibald lost two days trying to find the point where he was to meet
Riel's emissaries, and failing to make the junction he was obliged to
follow the circuitous route taken by the troops down the Winnipeg River
to Lake Winnipeg, and therefore he did not arrive "among and through
the people" of Bishop Taché. When he reached Fort Garry the Rebels
had been driven out, Colonel Wolseley was established in possession,
the British flag had been raised over the Fort, and Colonel Wolseley
was able to hand over the government of the country to the Queen's
representative without the assistance of Riel or his accomplices.
The successful arrival of the expedition, the flight of the rebel
leaders, and the confidence that further disorders could not be
successfully started, caused numbers of new settlers from Ontario to
move into the country, and the progress and development of the whole
Territory have since been most remarkable. Looking at the condition
of affairs now, it is hard to realise that a little indifference and
carelessness thirty-eight years ago might have delayed the opening up
of that great country for two or three generations, and it might easily
have happened that it would have been absorbed by the United States.