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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1870-05-06, Page 8ti7 s ; , •4. - - - NJ. THE HURON EXPOSITOR -1,As AAA -- MAY 6, 1870. (Coutinued front lint page.) altogether was so very bid. that he was afr id tho guards might be forcedto retaliate in self- efence. I expressed much surprise at the informa ion he gave me, as the prisoners, without exceptl n, had promised to Archdeacon McLean and mys lf, that seeing their hopeless condition they woub. endea- vour to net so as to avoid giving offence to the . guards and which encouraged them to 1 ok for- ward t -C., being speedily_relessed, in fulfil ent of the promise made by Mr. ltiel. On man (Potter)a was mentioned as ham• ' made hinaselrparticularly obnoxious by his vio- lent conduct,' but not one word was aaid on this occasion regarding Scott, or the slight est intimation giventhat lie, Or any -other I person; had been sondemned to be Shot. rAbout 11 o'clock Pere Lestanc left me and a i went up stairs to communieate,to G vernor McTavish, as he said the Gaveinor knew that Bishop Tache was 'expected soon. Rev. Mr. Young, a. Methodist cler had juat entered the house, and meet ng the Pere in the hall, conversed .with bin a few minutes': Mr. Youna then came -up to me, le and from him I had the first intimati n that it was intended to shcot Thos. Scotia and that the sentence was to be carried into ef- . feet at 12 o'clock, noon, that - day: We agreed in believing that the thing was too monstrous to be possible, and _ Mr tYoung mentiwed that poor Scott hitnse equally incredulous on the subject, itio they merely intended to frightet However, even to keep him in su •penee, was itself a horrible cruelty. and it ranged that as Ma Young had bee for to attend the man, he should se ascertain exactly how matters stood, and, if really serious, to let we know at once. Mr. Young accordingly called on Rie.", arid was informed that Scott had been condemned, that the sentance was irrevocable and. would not be dele.yed one minute beyond noon. Mr. Young begged for delay, saVing that the man was not prepared to die, but all with- out avail. He was paralyzed with .torror, and returned to the prisoner,' and . immedi- ately Sent a illessenger to inform me of the result of his visit. I 'determined .. e fled out 'del immed;ately, but recollecti g that Pere Lestanc was still up stairs wit4 Mr. McTavish, I related to him what 11 bad beard, and asked if -be knew anythihir about the matter. His answer I cannot give in precise words, but it was to the effect that they nad seen Riel on the'otherside of St. Boniface, and had all spoken to him about it, by which 1 undth.stood that they interced- ed for Scott. Governor McTavish swas 'greatly shocked on being informed of Riel's purpose, and joined in reptobating it. Pere •Lestanc consented to accompany me, aud we called on Riel. When be entered' be asked me what was, the news from Canada. The mail had arrived the preceding - day, and I replied, "The only intelligence is that Bishop Tache will' be here very soon." ,-I then in,m tioned what I had heard regarding Scott, and before Riel answered Pere rLes- tanc interposed in: French, words Meaning —"Is there no way of escape 7" _ Riel :re- plied to him.—" Alost Reverend Pere, you know exactly how thq mai* stands." Then turning to me he said, "1 will explain to you," speaking at first in'Englisla, but short- ly after using Feench, and remaa-lainto me, "You understand that language." no said in substance, that Scott had, :throughout, been a most troublesoine character, ti!nd had beau ringleader in a - rising against Snow, who had charge of a 'party employed Canadian Government during the ing summer in road making; that risen against the la-rovisional .Govern December last ;-t-hat his life was tin ed; that he escaped erne. had, aga taken in arms, and once inore IN (referring, no doubt, to the aromise madeto me that the ° lives of. the p isoners were secured), but' tut he masa ince.' rigible. and quite incapable of appreciating he4' tie- meatcy with which he: had . been t eated ; that' he was rough and abusive to th guards and insulting to him (Riel), and that his ex - MITI& had beea prbductive of the very worst effects ou the other prisoners, who had -be- come insubordinate to such an extent that ant. yman, f WaS tiiiuk- lliM. as ar- -sent Riel, by the pt•eced- ie had nen t in LI Spar - been rdoned he had it was difficult to withhold the guar retaliating. He further said, " sa with Scott, as we are doing now, an him truthfully to tell me if I would not use his statement against him, what he and the Portage party intended to have done with me had they succeeded in capturing me when they surrounded the Court House, to which he replied, 'We intended to keep yo a as a hostage for the safety -of the priaonerss" . r argued with Riel and endeavoured to show s from down asked trifling affair and ought not to have been re peated," hesaid, 4. Do not attempt to preju- dice us against Americans, tor although We have not been -with them they are with us, and have been better friende to us than Ca- nadians." .Much more was said on both sides; but argument, entreaty and protest alike failed to draw him from bit; purpose, and he closed by saying, "I have clone three good things jsince I,have cammenced. I have spared Boulton's life at your instance, and I du not regret is, for he is a tine fellow ; pardoned Gaddy, and he showed his gratia tude by escaping out of the bastion—but I do not giudge him his miserable life; and now I shall shoot Scott." Lepine (Adju- tant-Generai), Who was President of the Council of seven which tried Scott ; and five of whona Itiel toli -me, with tears streaming from their eyes, condemned him as worthy of death—a sentence which he had con- firmed—now entered, arid. in answer to Riel, said he must die. 'Rica then re- quested the Rev. Fele Lestanc to put the people on their knees for prayer, as it might do good co the condemned man's soul. Re- ferring to Pere Lestanc, and, making a final appeal, unneccessaty here to iepeat, I re- tired It was now within a few minutes of I &clock, and on entering the Governor's house, Rev. Mr. Young joined me, and said: "It is now considerably paw-. the hour; I trust youhave succeeded." "No," I said, "for God's sake go back at once to the poor man, for I fear the worst." He left imme- diately, and a few minutes after he entered the room in which the prisoner was confin- ed4 genie guards marche.d in and told Scott his hour had conle. Not until then did the reality of his position flash upon poor Scott. He said "good bye" to the oth- asr prisoners, and was led outside to the gate serf the Fort, with a white handkerchief cov- ering his head. His coffin, having a piece of white cctson thrown over it, was carried out. His eyes were bandaged. He contin- ued in prayer, in which be had been en- gaged on the way, for n few minutes. He asked Rey. Mr, ()wig how be should' place himself, whether standing or kneeling, then kneeling in the snow, said, "farewell ' and immediately fell back pierced by three bul- lets which passed through his body:, The filing party consisted ef six men, Jail of whom it is said were more- or less intoxi- cated. It has been further stated that on- ly three of the musKets were loaded °with ball cartridge, and one man did not (1is- charge his piece. The Rev. Mr. Young turned aside when the first shots wore fired, and then went back to the body, and again, retired for a moment while a man discharg- ed his revolver at the sufferer. The ball it is said; entering' the eye and passing round the head. The wounded man groaned -be- tween the time of receiving the 111118-- ket shots and the discharge of the re- volver. Ray. Mr. Young asked to have the ren • ins for interment in the ')ures vina. e aa . eroui (Is of the Presbyterian Church, but that was not acceded to, and a similar re- quest preferred by the- Bishop of Ruperts Land was alse refused.' He was buried within the walls of 1 the Fort. On descend- ing the steps leading from the prison, poor Scott, addressing Rev. Mr. Yoking, said, " this is a cold -brooded - m u rder," - then en- gaged 'in prayer, ilend was so occupied until he was shot. After this date I held no com- munication whatsoever with Riel, except in reference to getting away from the country, which I was not allowed to leave without a pass. I felt ttat under the circumstances it was not desirable that I should remain any longer at Red River; but it was no', until late on the Light of the 18th inst that Riel gave permission for my departure. -Although not accomplishing all that could have been desired, my mission to Red Bi-' ver, Hsi shall endeavour to shoat, in a few. wards, has been productive -of 'Sadie good, • and that it was not entirely successfill may be attributed to the circumstances above re- ferred to in connection with the action ta- ken, and the meetings held in ,January last-. Success, although in a lesser degree migh tal- _ so have been gained at a later period but for the rising in February, which plough rash and productive of results mos_tatinfortunate, I'can hardly blame them. knowing as al - 1 eady stated that those who took part in it were actuated and impelled by generous ruo tives. On reaching Red RiVer in Decem- ber last, I found the English speaking por- tion of the inhabitants greatly divided in opinion, as to the pomparative advantage of union with Canada and the formationpf a Crown colony, while a few, a very small that some of the circumstances he had men- 'number, favoured annexataon to the United various localities these adventurers had been industriously marking off- for themselves considerable, and, in some cases, very ex- tensive and very exceptionally valubale tracts. of land, thereby inipressing the minds. of the people with the belief that the time had come when in their own country they were to be entirely supplanted by'strangers —a belief hOwever'which I have no. doubt might have been entirelyprecluded by the prevention of ail such operations until Ca- nada had fully unfolded het- polihy and :shown the groundlessness of these fears. Let us further Pear in.mind that many of the Catholic clergy in the counti'y are not French. Canadians, but Frenchmen, and, consequently, it may be presumed are not very conversant with British laws and m- stitutioas, and with the liberty and privil- eges enjoyed under them. Warmly Lat- tached to their flocks, they deemed it •ne- cessary to exact some guarantee that ih their new political conditien they. would not be ti-eated with injustice It is unnecessaly here to point out how the breach widened, nnuil at length it attained a magnitude and significance little dreamt °fin the commence- ment, even by those who had joined most heartilly in the Government. It is far more pleasing to be able to -,state, which I do with much confidence, that a large majority ofthe French party have no misgivings as to union with Canada, and that joined by aad under the guidance of His Lordship Bishop Tache, and other members of the . clergy who enjoy their confidence, they will very shortly prove themselves to be staunch.supportiera of the Dominion, and firm in their allegiance to England. In the course of the insurrection one deplorable crime and many grossly illegal acts have uujustitiably been committed, but it would be impolitic aud unjust to charge them on _the Xrench ,population geuerally. Much obliquy has been heaped on the Hudaon's Bay Company and their Go t,ernor and of- ficers in the North-West. which I consider it quite unnecessary af this moment even to attempt to answer cr refute, although not doubtmg that both could be readily and satisfacterily done. Errors, many and gra' e--- have it cannot be denied, been tioned, and especially the Jast, . were very 1 States. The explanations offered on the part of Canada, they received as satisfac- tory, and with hardly a dissenting voice they would row vote for an immediate transfer to the Dominion, and they earnest- ly requested me to assure his Excellency the Governor-General of their warm loyal- ity to the British Crown. The case is dif- ferent as regards the French half-breeds. A not inconsiderable number of them re- mained true to their allegiance during all the troubles through which' they have had to pass, and wi.L.1 these will now be found as- sociated many others vl hose minds had for‘a time been poisoned by gross 'Misrepresen- tations made by designing men for their own selfish ends. A knowledge of the true state of the case and of the advantages they would derive from a union with Canada, had been carefully kept from them, and they were told to judge of Canadians gen- erally by the acts and bearing _of some of the less reflecting iintniki.ants: who had de- nounced them as cumberers of the ground, who must speedily make way for a superior race about to pour in upon them. It is al- so too true that in the - unauthorized pro- ceedings of some of the recent Canadian ar- rivals, some plausible ground had been giv- en for the jealousy and alarm with which the contemplated change of Government was regarded by the native population. In strong reasons to urge why Scott's life should not be sacrificed, and that, if, as he represented, Scott was a rash, thoughtless man, whom none could desire to have any- thing to do with, no evil need be apprehend- ed trom his example. I pointed but that the one great merit claimed for the insur- rection was that so far it had been blood- less, except in one sad instance which all. were willing to look upon as an accident, and implored him not now to stain. it, to burden it with what would be considerid a horrible crime .1-1e exclaimed, "We must make Canada respect us." I replied, " She has every proper respect for the people of Red River, and this is shown in her having sent Commissioners to treat, with them." I told him I had seen. the prisoners soinetime back, when they conaraissioned me t9 say to their friends at the Portage, that the, desir- ed peace, and I offered to go to them. again' and reason with thein, should that be neces- sary. On this he said "Look here, Ar. Smith, Mr. Scott, the lepresentative, went to see the prisoners at my desire, and on asking them whom they would vote for as Councillor if they were permitted a choice outside of their own body. Thomas Scott came forward and said 'My boys, have no- thing to do= with those Americans " and when I remarked, " This is really a most . - " • committed on all sides, but wilful and in- tentional neglect of duty cannot, I feel con- vinced, be laid to Oa charge of the Hud- son Bay Company or their representatives in the country. Personally I have been en- tirely unconnected with the administration of affairs in that department. I would re- spectfully submit that it it of •the ',utmost - importance that there should be a strong - military forcein the North-West as early as practica ble. The minds of the Indian tribesin the Saskatchewan country have been so per- plexed and confused by tl-a3 occurrences of the past six months that it would be very unsafe to trust. to their ferbearance,and in- deed until the question of the Indian claims has been finally settled, it would not, in my opinion, be prudent to leave this country unprotected by the military. The adjustment of these claims will require early attemion, and some memoranda, and evidence in my hands ou the, subject, I shall, if desired: be prepared to lay before the CI o -ern m en t. Latest from Aect. River. 1 OT. X -AUL, MIN, MAY 2. Gen Sykes and Captain Heap, United States engineer corps, started torday for Pembina, to select a post near Pembina for a regular post for the United States army. Capt. Heap will matk out the beundary line in front of the post fgr some distance, so' that troops will not unwillingly trespass beyond the forty-ningth parallel. A letter from Pembina leceived, dated 24th- April, says great alarm exists in the Red River Settlement, out of the growing hostility *of the Sioux Indians. Some 150 painted and armed appeared on the .British side, but were prevailed upon to turn back, after helping therrisslvee to what they wanted. The Americans are anxious to have soldiers sent to Red River. The Sioux have expressed a determination to wipe out the American people of the Red River Set7, dement. No news ot importance had arrived from Fort Garry. The Hudson Bay Company had been al- lowed to resume business only on promising to acknewledge the -Provisional Govern- ment, and to nay their requisition for the expenses of the said Gevernment when presented. Magistrates of the two cities have intimated an intention to pliniElh such cages with s'e verity A young man -named Wmliorton mot .with an accident at Payne's mills, at South- wold, on Saturday week, which terminated fatally on the following day. The young man waf3 employed rolling saw -logs towards the mill, to make them ready for the saw- yer. While standing upon the top of one of them, he accidentally lost his balance, and fell on his back. The other log following, • At a mass meeting of the Conservatives held at Iicton, on Saturday, Wm. Ander-' son, fornaerly M. P. P. for the county of Prince Edward, was selected as a candidate to oppose S. 8prague, Esq., the Reform can- didate, nominated some time since for the representation of the county in the Local Legislature. A man by the name of Charles Durling had his leg broken in the village bf Prince- ton when wrestling with: a comrade. He fell on the edge of thcfidewalk and twisted his foot benesth him, Mlle other party fall- ing heavily on him. The leg was broken about two inches above the knee, both bones being fractured. Mr. Samuel Dixon, a resident of Peter- borough for 30 years, met with a fatal acci- dent on Monday last. He was standing on the bridge near bis own mill, when the pier gave way, and he was carried -with the wreck down the stream. When picked up he was dreadfully bruised, and died the following day. • The livery stable keepers of London have determined to prosecute every case of bad usuage to their horses loaned .out on Siin- day, which seems to be the -most cruel day in the week on horse flesh. A similar course is spoken of in Hamilton, and the Police came against his bead, and crushed it fear- fully. His spine was also injured, and he lingered until Sun -clay evening: Already counterfeits of the new twenty- five cent notes have made their appearance. A couple of evenings ago one was taken by. the ticket -seller of the London Comedy Com- pany, at Ottawa, whieh, judging from the remarkable difference in colour of print and quality of paper, must have been a pounter- felt. A.;feintine note was soaked in water, and rubbed in tbe band almost to a pulp, but even then the difference between the base and genuine article was not so great as to be perceptible to the merest tyro in mo- ney, The paper of the counterfeit was of a soft and silky fibre very different from the genuine notes. ......111111.1.1.11111_111111111111.... 1' ONTAR- TO HOUSE :EDWARD -.OA! GENERAL COUNTRY MERCHANT, AND DEALER IN ALL KINDS OF Farm and Dairy Produce. CROC:ERIES DRY 0-0,0DS! OF THE BEST CLASS,: • ALWAYS ON HAND, AND AS CHEAP AS . ANY, IN SMA..POIR,T1-1- SEAFORTH, March 3-1, 1870. . THE CANTON T. T. T. T. T T. WAREHOUSE 'N THE NEW POST OFFICE BLOCK, 16 THE PLACE FOR CHOICE TEAS. The fact that the subscriber makes this article a speciality, shoulki lead all intending purchasers who like the best market affords, to, at least try his stock. The Finest Liquors! And a select stock of Staple and Fancy Groceries, always on hand. JAMES C. LAIDLA.W. Seaforth, Jan'y. 21st, 1870. 99-tf. 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Dr. Caldwell's DYSPEPSIA TlYSPEPSIA can be effectually cur - _1J ed by using DR. CAI.PWELL'S DYSPEPSIA REMEDY. See circul- ar and certificates accompanying each bottle. CD CD Sold by R.[LUMSDEN and E. HICKSON & CO , Seaforth, and naedieme dealers generally. WOODR FF, BENTLY CO. 11 7-25ins, Brougham, ,Ont. 4 t -t „ BU TRAC 4 Enrol Mast of the Seaforth, VE ., eon; x)f Market a iof Kidd ) Seaforth, IYencte°—.S.27:elae. Seaforth, T 11 . Gill IT. geon, etc., S PostfouldObf fiy ethe Seaforth, „• P '- public, Court House Lands. Goderich, 5CAUG Atto and lnsolve era. Solicit E Agents for R $30 Houses and Seaforth, DENSON J- at Law, enty, Conveyt fices,—Se.afo 'Trust and Le, Colonial Se Money at 8 e' TAR, If. RENS SPAforth, feare taken fo tender teeth Rooms over Seaforth. MMERt Laird, p ,M0clatioll for .,and bar are markets affor NOX'S dersigne Jiberal patro in the hotel b that he has stand, where from old. friem Seaforth, M Tr R. 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