Riel's manifesto is described in detail


"Riel's manifesto is described in detail"
The Globe (Toronto) 4/20/1885 CLARK'S Crossing, April 19-Lord Melgund with Capt. French, Major Boulton, and his troop made a reconnaissance from the camp yesterday morning and captured three Indians who they found hiding in a coulee. One of them is a cousin of White Cap, chief of the Sioux who took refuge here after the Minnesota massacre. They told Gen. Middleton that Riel sent White Cap's band word to come up, as there were plenty provisions, and when the joined him he FORCED THEM TO REMAIN. Those three men left camp five days ago, being sent down to get their horses from the reserve eighteen miles south of here, and were on their way back when captured. They found the horses had all been taken up before. They stated that Riel was at his house at Batoche. He had 200 Halfbreeds and there were SEVEN PRISONERS STILL WITH HIM. Two of the Indians were kept in camp and the third told to go and report to White Cap. The General also promised him $500 if he brought back Riel's prisoners. The three men were well armed. Riel has drawn up an elaborate manifesto. He begins by giving an account of the deputations sent by the Halfbreeds either to Ottawa or the authorities at Winnipeg since 1871, praying for the redress of the grievances which the Halfbreed commission have come to adjust. A long account is given of the proceedings of a deputation, headed by Father Leduc, which went to Ottawa in 1883 to put before the Government the complaints of the Halfbreeds at St. Albert (eight miles from Edmonton) and of those of the Saskatchewan country at large. He says the appointment of the Halfbreed commission is a confession on the part of the Government that the HALFBREEDS HAD NOT RECEIVED JUSTICE. He goes on to say that Ministers had repeatedly promised to inquire into the subject in answer to the letters sent. Strong representations had also been made by Archbishop Tache, by Mr. Royal M.P., and by the Lower Canadian members, the answer always being that something would be done. This went on from 1872 until 1876, when Governor Laird took the matter up and advocated a general settlement. His advice was not heeded. In 1876, 1877 and 1878 urgent representations were made to the Government officials, and though the invariable reply was that Government were considering matters nothing was done. In 1879, when Sir John Macdonald came into power, these representations were renewed. Riel says MR. DEWDNEY MUST HAVE MISLED the Government, in which case he is responsible for all this trouble. He says the Dominion surveyors had no sooner ceased to harass the Halfbreed settlers by threatening to deprive them of portions of their farms than timber inspectors began to persecute them, fining settlers for taking timber off lands which they had been cultivating for years, though patents had for some reason or other been withheld. Riel appeals to the white settlers to testify to the mismanagement of Saskatchewan and Alberta ever since 1870, and also to the tyranny and dishonesty of most of the officials placed over the people, and says that his people never intended to shed a drop of blood, and did not fire on Major Crozier until THAT OFFICER FIRED FIRST. He asserts that war is being forced upon them, and that they are being hunted to death, although Parliament at Ottawa knows that they have been wronged. In conclusion, he says that under these circumstances as death by the public executioner or in battle must be theirs, they must die fighting. This document, together with the Bill of Rights of September, and a new Bill of Rights will be sent to Gen. Middleton. Gabriel Dumont, whose brother was killed at Duck Lake, is said to be the most active man in the rebel ranks, and is compelling many of his followers by threats of death to stand out. He denies having incited the Indians, and says they are rising to avenge their own sufferings and to show the Government that they will not submit to Mr. Dewdney any longer.

"Riel's manifesto is described in detail"

The Globe (Toronto)
4/20/1885
CLARK'S Crossing, April 19-Lord Melgund with Capt. French, Major Boulton, and his troop made a reconnaissance from the camp yesterday morning and captured three Indians who they found hiding in a coulee. One of them is a cousin of White Cap, chief of the Sioux who took refuge here after the Minnesota massacre. They told Gen. Middleton that Riel sent White Cap's band word to come up, as there were plenty provisions, and when the joined him he FORCED THEM TO REMAIN. Those three men left camp five days ago, being sent down to get their horses from the reserve eighteen miles south of here, and were on their way back when captured. They found the horses had all been taken up before. They stated that Riel was at his house at Batoche. He had 200 Halfbreeds and there were SEVEN PRISONERS STILL WITH HIM. Two of the Indians were kept in camp and the third told to go and report to White Cap. The General also promised him $500 if he brought back Riel's prisoners. The three men were well armed.
Riel has drawn up an elaborate manifesto. He begins by giving an account of the deputations sent by the Halfbreeds either to Ottawa or the authorities at Winnipeg since 1871, praying for the redress of the grievances which the Halfbreed commission have come to adjust. A long account is given of the proceedings of a deputation, headed by Father Leduc, which went to Ottawa in 1883 to put before the Government the complaints of the Halfbreeds at St. Albert (eight miles from Edmonton) and of those of the Saskatchewan country at large. He says the appointment of the Halfbreed commission is a confession on the part of the Government that the HALFBREEDS HAD NOT RECEIVED JUSTICE. He goes on to say that Ministers had repeatedly promised to inquire into the subject in answer to the letters sent. Strong representations had also been made by Archbishop Tache, by Mr. Royal M.P., and by the Lower Canadian members, the answer always being that something would be done. This went on from 1872 until 1876, when Governor Laird took the matter up and advocated a general settlement. His advice was not heeded. In 1876, 1877 and 1878 urgent representations were made to the Government officials, and though the invariable reply was that Government were considering matters nothing was done. In 1879, when Sir John Macdonald came into power, these representations were renewed. Riel says MR. DEWDNEY MUST HAVE MISLED the Government, in which case he is responsible for all this trouble. He says the Dominion surveyors had no sooner ceased to harass the Halfbreed settlers by threatening to deprive them of portions of their farms than timber inspectors began to persecute them, fining settlers for taking timber off lands which they had been cultivating for years, though patents had for some reason or other been withheld.
Riel appeals to the white settlers to testify to the mismanagement of Saskatchewan and Alberta ever since 1870, and also to the tyranny and dishonesty of most of the officials placed over the people, and says that his people never intended to shed a drop of blood, and did not fire on Major Crozier until THAT OFFICER FIRED FIRST. He asserts that war is being forced upon them, and that they are being hunted to death, although Parliament at Ottawa knows that they have been wronged. In conclusion, he says that under these circumstances as death by the public executioner or in battle must be theirs, they must die fighting. This document, together with the Bill of Rights of September, and a new Bill of Rights will be sent to Gen. Middleton.
Gabriel Dumont, whose brother was killed at Duck Lake, is said to be the most active man in the rebel ranks, and is compelling many of his followers by threats of death to stand out. He denies having incited the Indians, and says they are rising to avenge their own sufferings and to show the Government that they will not submit to Mr. Dewdney any longer.