St. Catherine's Church Public Meeting


St. Catherine's Church Public Meeting
In response to Riel's pleas to unite, the resolutions resulting from the meeting at St. Catherine's Church make it plain that neither the English-speaking Metis nor the white settlers would join an armed uprising. Also underlined in this document of March 22nd, 1885 is their fear of an Indian war. The resolutions were addressed to Gabriel Dumont (called Adjutant-General Dumas in the typescript of the Sessional Papers). (The resolutions were reprinted in the Sessional Papers No. 43, 1886). At a public meeting held within St. Catherine's church on the evening of the 22nd March, 1885: Rev. Mr. Matheson was appointed chairman, and Mr. Wm. Craig secretary to the meeting. The chairman having stated that his object in calling the meeting was to ascertain the mind of the inhabitants and promote the interests of peace at the present crisis. A lengthened discussion ensued, after which, on the motion of Mr. Wm. Craig, seconded by Mr. Wm. Hodgson, it was unanimously resolved:- 1st. That the members of this meeting continue to sympathize as they have always done with the French half-breeds in their desire to obtain their legal rights by all constitutional means. 2nd. That they don't approve of the resort to arms or to the raising of the Indians, and wish to remain neutral. 3rd. That a copy of this minute be despatched without delay to the officer in charge at Carlton, and another to Mr. Riel. Signed on behalf of the residents of St. Catherines. E. MATHESON, Chairman. WM.. CRAIG, Secretary The meeting appoints Messrs. Inkster and Hodgson also to sign on behalf of the whole meeting. GEORGE INKSTER. WM. HODGSON. The undersigned concur in the above resolution on behalf of meeting at St. Catherines. CHARLES ADAMS ANDREW SPENCE ANDREW PETERSON. (The following is a letter from Adams and Pritchard, which enclosed the above resolutions) SIR,- Enclosed you will find resolutions, passed by a mass meeting, in our neighborhood. But we think a great deal depends on the wisdom and humanity of those at the head of affairs on either side. May God give you wisdom to order things aright. CHAS ADAMS, Chairman. [To] Adjutant General DUMAS J.F.PRITCHARD, Secretary.

In response to Riel's pleas to unite, the resolutions resulting from the meeting at St. Catherine's Church make it plain that neither the English-speaking Metis nor the white settlers would join an armed uprising. Also underlined in this document of March 22nd, 1885 is their fear of an Indian war. The resolutions were addressed to Gabriel Dumont (called Adjutant-General Dumas in the typescript of the Sessional Papers).
(The resolutions were reprinted in the Sessional Papers No. 43, 1886).
At a public meeting held within St. Catherine's church on the evening of the 22nd March, 1885: Rev. Mr. Matheson was appointed chairman, and Mr. Wm. Craig secretary to the meeting.
The chairman having stated that his object in calling the meeting was to ascertain the mind of the inhabitants and promote the interests of peace at the present crisis.
A lengthened discussion ensued, after which, on the motion of Mr. Wm. Craig, seconded by Mr. Wm. Hodgson, it was unanimously resolved:-
1st. That the members of this meeting continue to sympathize as they have always done with the French half-breeds in their desire to obtain their legal rights by all constitutional means.
2nd. That they don't approve of the resort to arms or to the raising of the Indians, and wish to remain neutral.
3rd. That a copy of this minute be despatched without delay to the officer in charge at Carlton, and another to Mr. Riel.
Signed on behalf of the residents of St. Catherines.
E. MATHESON, Chairman. WM.. CRAIG, Secretary
The meeting appoints Messrs. Inkster and Hodgson also to sign on behalf of the whole meeting.
GEORGE INKSTER. WM. HODGSON.
The undersigned concur in the above resolution on behalf of meeting at St. Catherines.
CHARLES ADAMS ANDREW SPENCE ANDREW PETERSON.
(The following is a letter from Adams and Pritchard, which enclosed the above resolutions)

SIR,- Enclosed you will find resolutions, passed by a mass meeting, in our neighborhood. But we think a great deal depends on the wisdom and humanity of those at the head of affairs on either side.
May God give you wisdom to order things aright.
CHAS ADAMS, Chairman.
[To] Adjutant General DUMAS J.F.PRITCHARD, Secretary.