letter: St. Antoine


To the English Half-breeds of Red Deer Hill, St. Catharines and St. Paul
ST. ANTOINE, 21st March, 1885. To the English Half-breeds of Red Deer Hill, St. Catharines and St. Paul: DEAR BROTHERS IN JESUS CHRIST,- The Ottawa Government had been maliciously ignoring the rights of the original half-breeds during fifteen years. The petitions which have been sent to that Government on the matter and concerning the grievances which our classes have against its policy are not listened to; moreover, the Dominion has taken the high handed way of answering peaceable complaints by dispatching and reinforcing their Mounted Police. The avowed purpose being to confirm in the Saskatchewan their Government spoliation and usurpation of the rights and liberties of all classes of men, except their resident oppressors the Hudson's Bay Company and land speculators, by threatening our liberty and our lives. The aboriginal half-breeds are determined to save their rights or to perish at once. They are supported with no doubtful energy by a large number of abler half-breeds, who have come to the Saskatchewan less as emigrants than as proscripts from Manitoba. Those of the emigrants who have been long enough in this country to realize that Ottawa does not intend to govern the North-West so much as to plunder it, are in sympathy with the movement. Let us all be firm in the support of right, humane and courageous, if in him to fight just and equitable in our views, thus God and man will be with us and we will be successful. Dear Brothers, in the council of the French Canadian half-breeds, now under arms at St. Anthony and in the Saskatchewan, have been most happy to receive your friendly communications through Messrs. Scott, Ross and William D., sympathies for the stand which we are compelled to take...The fact that your delegation and ours have crossed each other, affords convincing proof that our feelings are mutual. Justice commands to take up arms. Signed by Councillors, Secretary, &c. LOUIS "DAVID" RIEL, Exovede.

To the English Half-breeds of Red Deer Hill, St. Catharines and St. Paul

ST. ANTOINE, 21st March, 1885.
To the English Half-breeds of Red Deer Hill, St. Catharines and St. Paul:
DEAR BROTHERS IN JESUS CHRIST,- The Ottawa Government had been maliciously ignoring the rights of the original half-breeds during fifteen years. The petitions which have been sent to that Government on the matter and concerning the grievances which our classes have against its policy are not listened to; moreover, the Dominion has taken the high handed way of answering peaceable complaints by dispatching and reinforcing their Mounted Police. The avowed purpose being to confirm in the Saskatchewan their Government spoliation and usurpation of the rights and liberties of all classes of men, except their resident oppressors the Hudson's Bay Company and land speculators, by threatening our liberty and our lives. The aboriginal half-breeds are determined to save their rights or to perish at once. They are supported with no doubtful energy by a large number of abler half-breeds, who have come to the Saskatchewan less as emigrants than as proscripts from Manitoba. Those of the emigrants who have been long enough in this country to realize that Ottawa does not intend to govern the North-West so much as to plunder it, are in sympathy with the movement. Let us all be firm in the support of right, humane and courageous, if in him to fight just and equitable in our views, thus God and man will be with us and we will be successful.
Dear Brothers, in the council of the French Canadian half-breeds, now under arms at St. Anthony and in the Saskatchewan, have been most happy to receive your friendly communications through Messrs. Scott, Ross and William D., sympathies for the stand which we are compelled to take...The fact that your delegation and ours have crossed each other, affords convincing proof that our feelings are mutual. Justice commands to take up arms.
Signed by Councillors, Secretary, &c.
LOUIS "DAVID" RIEL, Exovede.