show my credentials as soon as they (the people) were willing to receive me. I was then asked to take oath not to attempt to leave the fort that night, nor to upset their government, legally established. This request I peremptorily refused to comply with, but said that, being very tired, I had no desire to go outside the gate that night, and promised to take no immediate steps forcibly to upset the so-called 'provisional government,' legal or illegal as it might be, without first announcing my intention to do so, Mr. Riel taking exception to the word 'illegal,' while I insisted on retaining it. Mr. O'Donoghue, to get over the difficulty remarked, 'That is as he (meaning myself) understands it,' to which I replied 'Precisely so.' The above explanation I am the more particular in giving as it has been reported that I at once acknowledged the 'provisional Government' to be legal. Neither then nor afterwards did I do so.

"I took up my quarters in one of the houses occupied by the Hudson's Bay Company's officers, and from that date till towards the end of February was virtually a prisoner within the fort, although with permission to go outside the walls for exercise accompanied by two armed guards, a privilege of which I never availed myself.

"All my official papers had been left in charge of Mr. Provencher at Pembina, as I had been warned that, if found in my possession, they would unquestionably be seized, as were those brought into the settlement shortly after by the Rev. M. Thibault and Colonel de Salaberry.

"The state of matters at this time in and around Fort Garry was most unsatisfactory and truly humiliating. Upwards of sixty British subjects were held in close confinement as 'political prisoners'; security for persons or property there was none; the fort with its large supplies of ammunition, provisions, and stores of all kinds, was in the possession of a few hundred French half-breeds, whose leaders had declared their determination to use every effort for the purpose of annexing the territory to the United States, and the Governor and Council of Assiniboia were powerless to enforce the law.

"On the 6th of January I saw Mr. Riel, and soon came to the conclusion that no good could arise from entering into any negotiations with his 'Council,' even were we to admit their authority, which I was not prepared

to do. We learned that on the 13th the Grand Vicar Thibault and Colonel de Salaberry appeared before the President and Council of the People,' when some explanations and compliments were exchanged, after which the very reverend gentleman and his associate were politely bowed out and lost sight of.

"Meantime, we had frequent visits in the fort from some of the most influential and most reliable men in the settlement, who gladly made known to the people generally the liberal intentions of the Canadian government, and in consequence one after another of Riel's councillors seceded from him, and being joined by their friends and many of their compatriots and co-religionists, who had throughout held aloof from the insurgents, they determined no longer to submit to his dictation. This change evidently had a marked effect upon Riel, causing him to alter his tactics and profess a desire for an accommodation with Canada. Accordingly, on the 14th of January, he called on me, informed me that he had seen Messrs. Thibault and de Salaberry, whose instructions did not authorize them to give assurances that the people would be secured in possession of their rights on entering into the Confederation, their errand being merely to calm the French half-breeds.' He then asked to see my commission, and on my explaining that owing entirely to the action taken by himself it was not in my possession, in an excited yet faltering manner he said, 'Yes, I know, 'tis a great pity; but how soon could you have it?' 'Probably in five or six days,' I replied. "That is too long, far too long,' he responded, and then asked where the documents were deposited, requesting at the same time a written order for their delivery to his messenger. To this I would not accede, but on his assuring me that they would be delivered into my hands, and that I should be afforded an opportunity of communicating their contents to the people, I consented to send a friend for them. It was so decided, and immediately after the messenger had received his instructions from me I was placed under strict arrest, a captain's guard being assigned me, whose instructions were not to lose sight of me, day or night, and prevent me from communicating either verbally or in writing with any individual.

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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS

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protested, saying, 'Am I to consider myself a prisoner?' He replied, 'Certainly not; I have the utmost confidence in your honour but circumstances demand this.'

"It was now about ten o'clock, and my messenger having been marched out, I retired to bed, but only to be awakened twixt two or three o'clock in the morning of the 15th by Mr. Riel, who, with a guard, stood by the bedside and again demanded a written order for the delivery of my official papers, which I again peremptorily refused to give.

"The well-effected French party became aware of what had happened, and not believing in Riel's good faith, determined to prevent the papers from falling into his hands. They got together some sixty or eighty men, who met my friend on his way back, and were escorting him, when on the 18th, about ten miles from the fort, they were accosted by Riel and some of his party and by Rev. Mr. Richot. An altercation took place. Riel attempted to use his pistol, saying 'he would not be taken alive in his own country,' on which a revolver was levelled at his head, and Mr. Richot having interposed, he was unceremoniously told to stand aside and 'not to interfere any further with matters unconnected with his spiritual duties.' It may be well to note that all those who took part in this affair were Catholics, and, with one or two exceptions, French half-breeds. Nothing more serious happened at this time, and the party proceeded together to Fort Garry, where they arrived in the forenoon. A few minutes before they entered the house, the Very Rev. Mr. Thibault, Père Lestanc, and Colonel de Salaberry called upon me, and with the exception of my guard, they were the first individuals with whom I was permitted to converse since the 14th. They appeared to be much concerned, and said it was currently reported that I had been endeavouring to incite the different parties to hostile collisions. I repudiated any such charge, explaining that I had acted only in the cause of peace and order, and with the desire of making the people, both French and English, fully acquainted with the liberal views of the Canadian Government, so that a peaceful transfer of the territory might be effected, adding that I was pleased to think there was every likelihood this would speedily be accomplished. In the meantime the party in possession of my papers entered the adjoining room,