3-028-586 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Upper Fort Garry, Red River Settlement, stronghold of the insurgents, 1870. Engraving of a sketch by Captain Armstrong, 63rd Regiment. 'The revolt of the French and Indian half-breeds in the Lake Winnipeg district of the Red River Settlement, in consequence of the transfer of their territory from the administration of the Hudson's Bay Company to that of the Dominion of Canada, has been noticed in this Journal...It is reported, under date of the 21st January, that great meetings have been held at Fort Garry...Mr. Donald Smith, agent of the Hudson's Bay Company, read a despatch of the Canadian Government appointing him Commissioner for inquiry into the causes of the insurrection; and also a despatch of the Governor-General of the Dominion to Earl Granville, which spoke in a reassuring manner of the character of the conflict...The reading of these despatches caused great satisfaction among those present; and it was finally decided to appoint twenty English and twenty French representatives...to decide on the course best calculated to promote the welfare of the country. Riel, the commander-in-chief of the insurgent forces, supported the plan. It is hoped that the dispute will be ended without bloodshed'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.