JAMES ISBISTER'S LETTER


JAMES ISBISTER'S LETTER
James Isbister, an English-speaking Metis, was one of four delegates who travelled to Montana to ask Riel to the North-West. In the letter to the editor that follows, (originally printed in The Winnipeg Sun, June 19, 1885) Isbister accuses Lawrence Clarke of the Hudson's Bay Company of inciting the Metis to rebellion for his own purposes of profit... Prince Albert, Saskatchewan St. Catherine's Parish, June 10, 1885 To the Editor of the Sun: Sir: -- As my name has been repeatedly mentioned in connection with the unforturnate troubles here, allow me, though the medium of your valuable paper, to give some explanation of my connection with the affair. In common with all the settlers of this country, both half-breed and white, I was much dissatisfied with the treatment we had received from the government. As a half-breed I claimed the same rights as the natives of Manitoba, and as an old-timer I claimed the same rights as any other British subject. Amongst others, representative government, habeas corpus, and government officials responsible to the people, and not a gang of broken-down hacks from Ottawa, from which class our registrars, timber inspectors, and I may add police officials, appear to be selected. After many years of petitioning even our patience became exhausted, and at a meeting held about a year ago, it was resolved to send to Louis Riel and get his advice as to what constitutional means could be adopted to obtain our rights and redress of our grievances. The four delegates who carried the letter to Riel were myself, Michel Dumas, Gabriel Dumont and Moyes Ouellette. Before leaving for Montana, being an old employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, I consulted their chief factor, Hon. L. Clarke, who stated that all could be done in the matter had been done by himself, and the only thing left was rebellion. Mr. Clarke is largely interested himself in our obtaining our rights, as I believe he bought a good deal of half-breed scrip on peculation. When we went for Mr. Riel we had no idea of going beyond constitutional means, and indeed, from the action of the Government, we had every reason to believe that agitation would meet with success, for of the delegates who carried the request to Mr. Riel, three received offers of Government appointments, probably through Mr. Clarke's influence, viz.: Michel Dumas and myself were appointed Indian farm instructors, which appointment Michel Dumas accepted, but I declined. Gabriel Dumont was given a ferry license, Mr. C. Nolin was given a contract, and Mr. Louis Schmidt was appointed a deputy land agent at Prince Albert, both these gentlemen being prominent members in our agitation. In March, part of the French, headed by Riel and Gabriel Dumont, became exasperated at the delay of the Government, and began to use threats. Upon this we gave them most distinctly to understand that we would have nothing whatsoever to do with any appeal to arms. This we did formally, and in writing. While in this state, exasperated, but before any serious act had been committed, and while still reasonable counsels might have prevailed, the French informed me that Mr. Clarke passed through their settlement, and when asked what news there was, instead of endeavoring to pacify them, replied: "They are sending five hundred men behind me, who will answer your petition with lead." The result is but too well known; they flew to arms. Even then bloodshed might have been avoided, but it seemed not to be desirable to do so. The French were at Duck Lake, and were fired upon first as an investigation will easily prove, and an engagement forced upon them against their will, and thus began this unhappy war. With regard to my further action, I can only say that directly after we notified, as before mentioned, that we could take no further part in their actions, I remained quietly at home until dragged to prison, ill-treated there and confined like a dog for weeks, then finally liberated without even being told for what I had been arrested. Many others shared the same treatment. In defiance of all law except the sweet will of the Northwest Mounted Police, who as they could not take any French half-breeds, had I suppose, to make some sort of a show for their money. Mr. Editor, if Canada wants this country to be a free home for millions, as she freely advertises in the old country, let her not begin by tyrannizing over the native population and depriving the inhabitants of the Northwest Territories of their sacred rights as British subjects. Let her do thus and she will have no more trouble. James Isbister

James Isbister, an English-speaking Metis, was one of four delegates who travelled to Montana to ask Riel to the North-West. In the letter to the editor that follows, (originally printed in The Winnipeg Sun, June 19, 1885) Isbister accuses Lawrence Clarke of the Hudson's Bay Company of inciting the Metis to rebellion for his own purposes of profit...
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
St. Catherine's Parish, June 10, 1885
To the Editor of the Sun:
Sir: -- As my name has been repeatedly mentioned in connection with the unforturnate troubles here, allow me, though the medium of your valuable paper, to give some explanation of my connection with the affair.
In common with all the settlers of this country, both half-breed and white, I was much dissatisfied with the treatment we had received from the government. As a half-breed I claimed the same rights as the natives of Manitoba, and as an old-timer I claimed the same rights as any other British subject. Amongst others, representative government, habeas corpus, and government officials responsible to the people, and not a gang of broken-down hacks from Ottawa, from which class our registrars, timber inspectors, and I may add police officials, appear to be selected. After many years of petitioning even our patience became exhausted, and at a meeting held about a year ago, it was resolved to send to Louis Riel and get his advice as to what constitutional means could be adopted to obtain our rights and redress of our grievances. The four delegates who carried the letter to Riel were myself, Michel Dumas, Gabriel Dumont and Moyes Ouellette. Before leaving for Montana, being an old employee of the Hudson's Bay Company, I consulted their chief factor, Hon. L. Clarke, who stated that all could be done in the matter had been done by himself, and the only thing left was rebellion. Mr. Clarke is largely interested himself in our obtaining our rights, as I believe he bought a good deal of half-breed scrip on peculation.
When we went for Mr. Riel we had no idea of going beyond constitutional means, and indeed, from the action of the Government, we had every reason to believe that agitation would meet with success, for of the delegates who carried the request to Mr. Riel, three received offers of Government appointments, probably through Mr. Clarke's influence, viz.: Michel Dumas and myself were appointed Indian farm instructors, which appointment Michel Dumas accepted, but I declined. Gabriel Dumont was given a ferry license, Mr. C. Nolin was given a contract, and Mr. Louis Schmidt was appointed a deputy land agent at Prince Albert, both these gentlemen being prominent members in our agitation.
In March, part of the French, headed by Riel and Gabriel Dumont, became exasperated at the delay of the Government, and began to use threats. Upon this we gave them most distinctly to understand that we would have nothing whatsoever to do with any appeal to arms. This we did formally, and in writing. While in this state, exasperated, but before any serious act had been committed, and while still reasonable counsels might have prevailed, the French informed me that Mr. Clarke passed through their settlement, and when asked what news there was, instead of endeavoring to pacify them, replied: "They are sending five hundred men behind me, who will answer your petition with lead." The result is but too well known; they flew to arms. Even then bloodshed might have been avoided, but it seemed not to be desirable to do so. The French were at Duck Lake, and were fired upon first as an investigation will easily prove, and an engagement forced upon them against their will, and thus began this unhappy war.
With regard to my further action, I can only say that directly after we notified, as before mentioned, that we could take no further part in their actions, I remained quietly at home until dragged to prison, ill-treated there and confined like a dog for weeks, then finally liberated without even being told for what I had been arrested. Many others shared the same treatment. In defiance of all law except the sweet will of the Northwest Mounted Police, who as they could not take any French half-breeds, had I suppose, to make some sort of a show for their money.

Mr. Editor, if Canada wants this country to be a free home for millions, as she freely advertises in the old country, let her not begin by tyrannizing over the native population and depriving the inhabitants of the Northwest Territories of their sacred rights as British subjects. Let her do thus and she will have no more trouble.
James Isbister