Louis Riel, con't

On October 30, McDougall, Cameron and Joseph-Alfred Norbert Provencher, the nephew of Bishop Provencher, arrived in Pembina where they read the Committee's note. However, they refused to heed this warning, and the next day, Cameron and Provencher proceeded to St. Norbert where they were stopped and conducted back to the American border escorted by 30 Métis. On November 2, McDougall met with the same fate. Riel and the Métis thus succeeded in cutting McDougall off from the group in Winnipeg who favoured Canadian annexation. The same day, the Métis took possession of Fort Garry, thereby establishing their control over the surrounding area. However, their power was precarious because they were only assured of the support of the French Catholic population. Riel was aware that he would need the backing of all elements in the settlement to negotiate with the Canadian Government.

A series of meetings was held to endeavour to foster this support, but without the hoped-for success. Several people objected to the way McDougall had been treated. However, agreement was reached on the preparation of a list of rights. On November 23, Riel proposed the formation of a provisional government to replace the Council of Assiniboia. This surprised the English-speaking half breeds who asked for a few days adjournment for consultation, not believing that their mandate empowered them to make such a decision.

The official transfer of the land to Canada had been set for December 1, 1869. During this period, Sir John A. Macdonald postponed payment to the company because of the disturbances in the settlement. On December 1, McDougall , who had not been notified, read the proclamation announcing the transfer of the company's territories to Canada. From that moment, Riel's Provisional Government became legitimate, for the company lost all authority on December 1 and Canada acquired none because it had not paid anything. On December 10, Riel's Provisional Government flag flew from the flag pole at Fort Garry. On December 27, following John Bruce's resignation, Louis Riel became President of the Provisional Government and, Donald Smith, the Hudson's Bay Company representative in Canada and a government agent, arrived in the settlement. A meeting which began on January 19, 1870 attracted upwards of 1,000 people. During the meetings on January 19 and 20, Smith made it known that his government had good intentions with respect to the people of the Red River Settlement. In order to find a way of negotiating their rights with Ottawa, Riel proposed that another convention of 20 French-speaking and 20 English-speaking representatives be called to draw up a new list of rights.

The Convention began one week later and the work was completed by February 10. With unanimous agreement, Riel formed another provisional government which was more representative than the previous one. Three delegates were elected to present the List of Rights to the Canadian Government: Father Noel Ritchot, Judge Black and Alfred Scott. Everything seemed to indicate a return to a state of calm, but such was not to be the case. Even while the delegates were still sitting, a group of Canadians was preparing a counter-Riel movement. These men had supported John Schultz and J. S. Dennis in opposing Riel's Provisional Government in December 1869. Several of them had been imprisoned at Fort Garry, but a substantial group was still at large in the vicinity of Portage la Prairie. On January 9, 1870, nine prisoners escaped from Fort Garry, and on January 23, John Schultz led an attack on the fort.

That same day, Riel had freed the other prisoners on the condition that they not interfere with politics in the settlement. This initiative cooled the ardour of many, but the Canadian party continued its march on Fort Garry. On February 12, Major Charles Boulton and his men, passing near the fort, were arrested by Riel's men; 48 were captured, including Thomas Scott. Major Boulton was tried and sentenced to death, but the sentence was never carried out. After causing problems and attempting to escape, Thomas Scott was summoned to appear before a Métis court martial formed in accordance with the custom of the buffalo hunt and presided over by Ambroise Lepine, Louis Riel?s lieutenant. The seven members of the court found Scott guilty of defying the authority of the Provisional Government; of fighting with the guards; and, insulting the president. He was sentenced to death by a vote of five to two and the next day, March 4, 1870, he was executed by a firing squad. Although pressure was brought to bear on Riel to prevent the execution, he refused to be swayed. We can only wonder what motives prompted Riel to allow Scott's execution. Was it an act of vengeance against Scott or fear of losing the respect of the Métis? Scott was an Orangeman who was fiercely anti-Catholic and Riel perhaps believed he would make an example of him. Whatever the real motive, this action excited much controversy. It forced Riel into exile and shook even his most ardent supporters.

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