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Tous les autres exemplaires orlginaux sont filmte en commen?ant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en termlnant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparattra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbols — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE ", le symbole V signifie "FtN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte 6 de^ taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorrque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichi, il est film« 6 partir de rangie supArieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcassaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 PAPERS Referring to Red River Settlement HUDSON'S BAY TERRITORIES. -^^tt^'g^*^ M BANGALORE: PRINTED AT THE REGIMENTAL PRESS 2ND BATTALION lOTH REGIMENT. 18GG. 4l8i;34 UN!VE^5^ MANITOBA A (/■'ictii /I'oss' Hal 1,'li'c-'' .'i'UUnu'nt). We liavc lecorclcd in its proper place the arrival of several Canadian liiniiiies in the colony, who were imluccil by the distracted state of the conntry to take up their al-cde at Pembina. Here they were joined by half-breeds, hunters, and others, with the addition of N\hose numbers tliey formed a snug little settlement; so that a Catholic church was built and houses erected. Pembina, however, was on the frontier, and as it was then doubtfur where the international line would pass, those at the head of afiairs thought it advisable to withdraw the people from that quarter, and place them in a more central locality, where they would be better situated both for instruction and protection. Other arguments were not wanting in fa\our of the selection of Red River for this purpose. The lands at Pembina were too low and wet for a permanent establishment, and at the period we have reached, there were grounds for believing that a rupture with the Sioux might occur. On the other hand, everything in the mother-colony had assumed a more favourable and more tranquil aspect. The implacable enemy of peace and order in the colony, we mean the North- West Company, was no more. The grass- hoppers had disappeared from their fields ; and cattle having been introduced, the hopes of the husbandman were revived, and it was expected that the colony would, in the nature of things, take root. Here, accordingly, the little settlement at Peni- n I.ina, after five yonr>' occnpaticn, found it convenient to transfer themselves. The first to suggcn the change was Ur. Ilalkett, v-hose proposal* were warmly second- ed ]>y tlic now and patriotic Governor, Cai)tain Bcilger, who succeeded Alexander M'Doneil, in June 1822. Governor Bulger was a staunch friend of peace and orJei, and certainly had the interest of tlie colony at heart. Ho was a jrst and upright man, strict and im- partial. From the misrule of the times, he met with strong opposition ; but being a man of judgment and decision, the colony for the first time bogan to exhibit the character of system and regularity under his rule. During his time the ge- neral survey of the colony was completed. He was succeeded at the end of a year only, by Mr. Robert Telly, a cousin of Sir John Henry Pollv. Baronet, who was ot that period Governor of tbo Hudson's Bay Company m London. LETTER FROM GOVERNOR BULGER TO ANDREW COLVILLE ESQ. Fort Douglas, Red River Settlement. 7tli December 1822. Sir, I consider it to Le my duty, after consulting nitli Messrs. Tliomas, M'Donell, Cook, and Pritcliard, to incur the expense of an express to London, for the purpose of ap})rizing the Earl of Selkirk's Executors of the circumstances ■which have recently occurred at the Red River, and of the present state of the Colony. It is necessary that I shoi I go back to the time when I last wrote to you, ■which was in the beginning of September, and narrate tho transactions which have occurred since that time. It was upon tho 2nd September — the day on which I distributed the cows, and which had nigh proved a fatal day to m-^ — having been knocked down by one of the wildest of those animals, the horn of which, after ripping the sleeve, pierced the collar of my coat, and left a murk in my nock, near the jugular vein. — It was upon tliat day, that I first became acquainted with Mr. John M'Donald, Chief Factor, from Qu' Appcllc. — Having been informed that he had said, he could fur- nish the Colony M^ith meat from twopence halfpenny to threepence per pound, I called upon him, on the 10th of that month, to endeavour to make an agreement for the provisions which might be recjuircd in llie course of the ensuing S])ring, for the Colony bonts proceeding to York Factory. Alter some little discussion, I invited him to dine with mo or. the following day, it heing agreed that we would then enter more fully on tlie subject. About an hour after I had left him, Mr. Clarke ar- rived, to take charge ol the Company's affairs on the Red River, and I invited him, and his assistant, Mr. M'Murray, to meet Mr. M'Donald on the following day, at dinner. They came— but as I was not prepared to say exactly how much meat would be vinted, nothing was decided upon that day. But, on the 13th, I wrote to Mr. M'Donald, mentioning wliat quantity would be required, and offering the price which the Freemen liad demanded of me,— more than which, I did not tliink myself justified in giving.— Mr. M'Donald's answer, of the same date, surprised mo a good deal. It stated that they could not supply mv with dried provisions at a less price than sixpence sterling per pound,— but they had no doubt this would be lowered by the Governor and Council, " providing all those connected with the colony had no dealings either with Freemen or Indians."— I did not, as I have already stated, think it justifiable in me to put Lord Selkirk's family to the expense of sixpence per pound for meat, when I knew that it might be procured for loss. Neither could I take vqmi myself to prohibit the settlers from dealing with the Freemen for provisions. Eut I again repeated to Mr. ]M' Donald, by letter, that I would give up all dealings myself, with Freemen, if he would undertake to supply Jiie with meat at a reasonable \mco, and I named Iburpence halfpenny per pound, being a halfpenny more than I had at first offered. Before any answer was received to this second offer, viz. on the Uth September, the " Black llobe," with a large party of Indians, came to Fort Douglas, and an- nounced that " Pigowis " would arrive in the course of the day ; and he accordingly appeared in the evening, attended by a nuuK-rous suite, all armed. It was easily to be seen that they had not met in the Fort by accident, and that something ex- traordinary was to be agitated. At this time, the settlers were all occupied in trying t(j save their little crops, wliich were in danger of being entirely destroyed by the birds. I procured, however, a dozen ot the Meurons, and with them re- mained on the watch that night. Pigowis, with some of his chiefs, Avent to the Coiiipimy's Post, ami did not icliirn until ilu following niornin^r, ^i; iTuli, vlien he intimated a I'csirc to hold a council with nio, which I, of cour.sf, ininicilialoly complied with. lie ,si)ollied to please. Nothing, thcrcibre, remained for nic but to <|uit the country, and I resolved to do -, for wiiidi I am not conipctcnt in point of ability, nor (jualitied by law. The ma- nagement of tlic St^tlcment for one yar, ^vas :u\ tliat I had agreed to undertake ; and it was, as I understood, to give me more authority, in the eyes of the settlers, than I could possibly have, if merely the agent of the Executors, that a commission, as Governor of Assiniboia was granted to me. No ])rovision appears to have been made to secure to me the respect and obedience of the Company's officers and servants in tliis District ; Avhat was the consequence? Tliey treated me as if I had no au- thority at all, and taught the settlers to do tlie same, and to consider me as having been sent liere merely to give them goods, and attend to their wants : to be, in short, their slave. Before the resolution of the 20th May arrived, the mischief was done ; even my title had, l)y that time, been changed to " Monsieur le Capitaine," while tliat of " Monsieur le Governour," had been transferred to Mr. Clarke. But, even if tlie case had been otherwise, and if I had felt myself fully qualified, I could not pnssiltly think of acting, while there existed in tlie heart of the settlers a. ])ower independent of the Governor and Council. The possessor of that power n)ight not be a just, a noble-minded man : he might laugh to scorn our decisions, and invade our personal rights : — he might insult our feelings, by taking the set- tlers' daughters, and keeping a perfect brothel under our very eyes. I could not bear these thinirs. I consented, at the recjuest of Mr. West, Mr. ^M'Donald, and Mr. Logan, to postpone my departure until next spring, but I remained merely as the steward of Lord Selkirk's executors. Li that capacity, I must now inform you, that there were six boats (including that sent by Mrs. Matthey for her husband) sent from the Colony, after my arrival, to York Factory, and directions were sent to Mr. Angus ^Lacdonald as to the manner in which they were to be disposed of. The engaged servants of the Colony expected from England, and the baggage of the Swiss settlers, were to be the first sent up ; and then, such goods as Mr. Angus Macdonald might think most requi- site ; some articles Ijcing particularly specified in my letter to hinv It v/ou!d apiK'ar, liowi-vor, IVoin his ovsii account, that Mr. Simpson took from hiui tlie l^ev of the Colony ^toro, and loailed tlie loals vith what he plcpsed. It is very certain tliat they wore more than half laden with private property, and servants of the Com- pany, and tlieir ianiilies and baggage, while a large proportion of the baggage of the inifortunate Swiss tai.nilies, was, contrary to Mr. Halkett's express promise to them, left behind. Mr. Ilalkett, in a letter to me from York Factory, complained that there was an immense quantity of goods rotting in the Colony store at that place, but, when boats are sent down, with clear directions, to bring up a part of this property, if those directions are disregarded, and the boats otherwise loaded, who, I shoxdd like to know, is to be responsible? Window-glass was much wanted here; and Mr. Halkett had said he would cause some to be sent up, but all that came was one box, which Mr. Halkett had given at York Factory to the schoolmis- tress. Sheet iron was a thing I had particularly requested, that I might be en- abled to put up stoves, and diminish the consumption of wood, and Mr. Halkett wrote to me that some should be sent up. It, however, never came, and dreadful will be the expense of fuel, in consequence, this winter. I had requested that a double block might be sent up, but it came not. I had expected that a small supply of port-wine, and other liquor, lor my own use, in case of sickness, would be sent to me from York Factory, but in this I was also dissappointcd. A little sour, muddy Tenerifib, was thought good enough for me. Blankets, and duffle for socks, were two articles well known to be absolutely necessary in this Siberian climate, but, not a yard of the latter, and only three pair of the former were sent up. I had begged of Mr. Halkett to apply to Mr. Simpson, for an order to the Chief Factor here, to issue to me the Company's notes, upoTi my applying for them, and giving a bill on you for the amount, but Mr. Halkett, it would appear, had not sufficient iuHuence with the Governor, to accomplish this most important object. I may also state here, that a complaint was made to me that Mr. S. had compelled the mill-wright and blacksmith, to work their passage in the boats from ^'ork Factory, contrary to the terms of their agreement with you. A similar complaint was mado to n\c by Ui'Acw. the biacksmitli- and his man, who have not !l inerely rel'iised to ])iiv aiiytliing for tlicir passage from Yt)r]c, but have deinamled payment for working the boats up. It must pain you to hear these tilings, but I am forced to mention them. I shall not trouble "ouwi'li an account of the horriblo life which 1 led, after the arrival of the boat; not for the half of your private for- tune, Tvould I submit to so much ugain. It n)ade me so ill, I was obliged to take to my bed, from which I was compelled to rise, by a report (brought from Pam- bina by the Company's people) that the Scioux was theie, un their way to the Forts. Though hardly able to stand, I got up, and kept the men employed day and night, putting the block- houses in something like a defensible stale, and ma- king arrangments for securing the women and children within the Fort : my inten- tions being, to meet tl-e Scioux on the plains, with my two guns, and a strong force, and, dressed as they had seen me, when in the service of the King, and there to ask them what they wanted. Before my preparati(^;.s were quite finished, two guns were, about eleven o'clock at night, fired close to the pickets of our Fort, at, as I imagined, the nian on sentry. Thinking the Scioux had arrived, I waited an.x- iously for daylight, that I might see my way dearly. So soon as the day appeared, the gates were opened, and the first thing that presented itself, was a pole stuck in the ground, to which was attached a bit of blue cloth, containing some human hair, tobacco, gunpowder, and earth. The signification of this was understood, though it was evident it had iKjt bren done by Indians, and, i:i the course of the day, I heard what left no doubt on my mind, that theM-hole had been a trick of the Com- pany's pu)ple, to give me more trouble; which, Heaven knows, was unnecessary. The next day, I was compelled to take my bed again, and was confined to it for seventeen days, in a room were my bed-curtains were kept in constant agitation by the wind. During that time, a report >sas brought to me by Mr. Reynberger, who has pro- ved a zealous and faithful assistant to me, in all my troubles with his countrymen, that some of the best of the Swiss settlers were preparing to leave the Red River in the spring, that the Meurons were also talking of leaving it in a bodv— of plun- dering the Company's stores, and going to the United States, and that lie had heard, a number of the Canadian.s, and a few of tlie Scotch, intended going with them. I immediately sent him for Witchy, of whom I liad formed a good opinion, as he gave me no trouble, and appeared to be a very quiet, i»ober, hard-working man, and was always the first at the Fort upon an alarm. He came, and, in reply to my enquiries, frankly avowed that it was their intention to go away in a body, in the spring, to the Mississippi. They dreaded being abandoned by the family of my would Lord, and lefl to the mercy of the Company's officers in this country, who prevent them from buying meat and skins to clothe themselves — who would allow them perhaps two shillings a bushel for their grain, and make them pay forty or fifty for a gallon of rum, and thirty for a yard of cloth. For his own part, Witchy said, he wished not to leave the country with a bad reputation — he wished to go home to his own country, where he had still a little property. Seeing that Witchy *s mind was made up, and, being apprehensive that, if they departed in the Avay they proposed, tliey might be induced, after doing all the mischief in their power here, to join the American Fur Company at Lac Travers, and be the caus<^ of serious injury both to the Colony and the Hudson's Bay Company, I put the question to Witchy : " If the Meuruns iue provided with a passage to their own coun- try, will thov be satii^fied ? " The answer was, he was sure they would, and, if they could be certain of getting home next year by the Company's ships, they would not think of going to the Mississippi. Upcm his saying that they meant to have a meet- ing out he following Sunday (the 24th), to fix the time of their departure, I desired ho would niake known what I had said, and that, if they resolved not to remain in the Red River, I recommended to them to uiake a petition to Lord Selkirk's executors for a passage home, and I would forward it inmiediately to England. In answer, Witchy said, he feared they would not get an answer in time to go homo next year, but he assured me he would mention what I had s:uii. and that, whatever might be rchulved upon, he would conceal notdiiig from me. On Sunday evening, lie called on me, and stated that they were all determined to go — soiiie home — others to the Uniteil States — that they would send me a petition to be forwarded to England, and would wait until July next for an answer. On the iir\t d;iy, they applictl 1(1 me U> alldw ^fr. Kcyiil'ii',ut.r to traiislntc into Ki.'iiili ll.t |put>cr they hutl piade out, ami 1 iicccilcd to tlu-ir rcqiust. On the 28tli, their petition wus s-ent to me, couclied in ratlier curiuus, but respectful language, ami sii,Mied by thirty per- sons, half of whom wrote their names ; the remainder made their marks. Two days after, some oi' tliose very men, who had signed their names to this petition, and who, in general, tahe the lead of the otheis, requested that I would not !=end the petition to England, as they had changed their minds. Mr. Clarke, tlity said, had told them that there would be a corps of cavalry raised here next summer, in wliich he would employ them, and that they would be well paid — and that the Colony store would always be (»pen to them. This, "with some other nonsense, v>hich they re])catcd, as having been told them by Mr. Clarke, and perhaps a glass or two of rum, for they wore all in liquor, had determined them to remain in Red Rivei. Perhaps it may not be so easy for Mr. Clarke's successor, or mine, to satisfy them, should the letter oi service for raising the cavalry not arrive. But, I am not answeral)le for what Mr. Clarke may say or do. I returned them their petition, and desired they woidd never attempt to impose upon me again, or to trouble me with their oomi)hiints. Witchy, alone, continues firm in his determi- nation to return to )iis own country, and he has reijuested that I would solicit a passage for himself and funily, n'a the Bay, next summer. As for the otheis of the De Meurons, it is ipiite absurd to suppose they Avill ever prove peaceal)le and industrious settlers ; — the only charm that Red River possesses, in their eyes, and, I uiav say, in the eves of almost all the settlers, is the Colonv stores. Their de- mands are insatiable, — and, when refused, their insolence extreme. United, as they are, among then)selves, and ferocious in their dispositions, nothing can be done against them ; they never intend — they never will bo able — to pay f»)r what they get — and, mark my words, the closing of Lord Selkirk's stores here, will be the signal for them to depart. With respect to the Canadian settlers, they are, mostly, old, worn-out men, with large and idle families ; they are finished knaves, and will remain here, so long as they can get what they wa)it from the store : for which, it is morally imnossililo that thev can ever pav. As for ihr Swi^^s settlers, their luitrcil wl' 1^1(1 M'wx'V is iiisiipi ralilc ; wliat llttlt' ((iiifidciui' tlicv had in ii<. has l)t"ii (Icsriwed liy tlie arrival ((f'tht* lioats witliout tlieir baguagc. Allhoiij^h iii'ws hud been rpcc'ivod here, that a party of them, T\liich IclL this in the spring, for the Prairie du Chien, had suffered the most dreadful hardslups, and had heen com- pelled to cat one of their companions ; and, in defiance of the danger to he encoun- tered in passing through the Scioux country, nine more, (the best and most useful among them) left this, in the month of Septend)er last, for the Prairie du Chien; of whose fate we are still uncertain. Four others, (young men) proceeded to Montreal, in the canoe that brought up M. Provencher. One young man who had liisfeet frozen last winter in the plains, is now a burthen upon us ; and next spring, it is but too certain, that all that are able — all that are worth anything — will tahe their departure for the Mississippi, leaving upon our hands, seven or eight old, helpless men, with large and young ftunilies, whom we must either send back to their tiwn country, or maintain ; as they are incapable of any exertion whatsoever, Eut I must now leave off, lor the cold is so intense, that I cannot any longer hold my pen. JHh December, 1822 — It is a dreadful tale which I have related to you, but it is a true one. It was only this morning that some of the Swiss women came to mo, begging, with tears in their eyes, some clothing. They ^dmitted that their husbands intended going away — they could never be happy in the Red River. I refused to give them anything. " In the name of God, what are we to do ? " they said. " You have left our little property at the sea — and will you now let us perish ? " I could not stand this reproach, and I ordered some things to be given to them. It has not, I am sorry to say, been in my power, to place Mr. Kemp in a house of his own. It wai the wish of Mr Halkett that, until Mr. West could get the Company's old Fojt, he should lie permitted to occupy Ilaylield Farm-house. Mr. Clarke, it seems, could not spare the Fort, and Mr. West was, in consequence, oldiged to take posscr-sion of his old habitation at the farm, where he still remains. What a pity it is, what a misfortune, I may say, that the good intentions of the jji'iitlomon at home, sliould, in so many ways., be counteracted by their people in tliis country. Pmt upon this, aiul other matters, you -will receive every informa- tion from Mr. West himself, next autumn. I have been obliged to keep Mr, Kemp and his man in the Fort, but I will put him in possession of the Farm, the mo- ment Mr. West can, without inconvenience, remove Irom it. Mr. Kemp is a very stead'' man ; he has been very industrious in his professional avocation, and has actually done a great deal since he arrived. lie assures me, that he will have a correct plan of the settlement prepared for me to take home next spring, Like myself, he appears to have made a bad bargain ; his year's salary will not pay and feed more than one of his chain-carriers, it being impossible to get a man here to do anything under three shillings a day, and his living ; and, knowing this to be the case, and, seeing how zealously Mr. Kemp has commenced his duties, I really think a larger salary should be allowed him. Mr. Henderson, also, I consider an acquisition, from his steady, correct deportment, and his knowledge of accounts. Against the old hands, I mean Mr. AUez, and Mr. Angus Macdonald, I have no cause of conii)hiint. They are attentive as I could wish, but they really do not understand accounts. They will return to England by the ships next summer, and, to present their being disappointed, it would be proper for you to send an order to York Factory, for their being provided with a passage home. Mr. Reynberger also solicits that he may be allowed a passage home next summer, by the Company's ships, it being his intention to return to Poland. I have engaged Mr. Henderson, at the rate of one hundred pounds per annum, and his board and lodfjing, to keep the accounts and registers, until lii^/ arrival of my successor, who will be at liberty to re-engage Mr. Henderscu, y^r not, . s he may think pro])ei' ; but in case he should not, Mr. Henderson is to be provided with a free passage to England via Hudson's Bay. Mr. Fletcher, the store-keep- er, has })ehavciua to this place. What the R. C. Mission are to do with their land, I know n(;t : thty have no funds, and it is a certain fact, that, at this very moment, the Bishop himself is iti tlic greatest distress. Would it were in my pmver to rc- li(no liiiii. Isiit it is not. The excessive coldness of my room has suggested to me tliat it would be a good tiling if you were to send out a (jiiantity of cheap room-paper. Last night, my room was completely filled witii snow ; in one place there were upwards of eight inches. You will judge froDi this what a comfortable, what a happy life, mine must be. 14th December 1822. Illness has prevented my closing my letter until this day, and now all tliat I am capable of doing is to recommend to you : — 1st. — To get courts and magistrates nominated by the King. 2nd. — To get a company of troops sent out to support the magistrates, and keep tlie natives in order. 3rd. — To circulate money. 4th. — To find a market for our surplus grain. 5th. — And let it bf determined whether the Council at York Factory are justi- fied in preventing the settlers from buying moose, or deer-skins, for clothing and l)rovisions. If these things cannot be done, it is my sincere (it may be my last) advice to you, to spend no more of Lord Selkirk's money upon Red River. Beiie\e me to be, with great respect, Sir, Your most ol)edient servant ( Signed j A. Bulger.