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1 2 3

SPEECH

S. ^ , DELIVERED IN THE

HOUSE OF COMMONS

BY THK

HON. A. G. ARCHIBALD,

DURING THE DEBATK ON THE

'MANITOBA BILL,

MAY 7, 1870.

( . „ >

- IDISCOURS

: < PRONONc:^ k

LA CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES

PAR

L'HON. A. G. ARCHIBALD.

LORS DE LA DISCUSSION DU

" BILL DE MANITOBA,"

LE 7 MAI, 1870.

OTTAWA:

PRINTED BY I. B TAYLOR, 29, 31 & 33, IIIDEAU STREET.

1870.

^^-7^2

SPEECH

DELIVERED BY THE

HON. A. G. ARCHIBALD,

DURING THE DEBATE ON THE

" MA.]SriTOB^ BIX-.!^.

House of Commons,

Ott,.wa, May 7, 1870.

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for Lambton in breaking ground this afternoon, has
entered into a great variety of details. He has criticized the conduct of the Government
and of individual members of the Government at great length and with great asperity.
The observations he has made— the line he has followed, would be proper enough if we
were discussing a question of want of confidence, but does not seem to me at all suitable
to the subject now before the House. The question we have to deal with is the kind of
constitution we are to give to this new Province, the kind of organization under which
the people of Manitoba are to enter upon a new phase of national existence. When my
hon, friend from Lambton tells us that a subject of such vast importance to the future
welfare of the Dominion, should be approached in a spiaic of gravity and decorum, he
carries with him the judgment and good sense of this House ; but I ask my hon. friend if
he thinks the style of address which he has adopted is in conformity with the views he
himself declares as just, whether it is the kind of address which is worthy of his position
—his high position— in this House, or which is likely to promote the true interests of
this country. Sir, when my hon. friend for Lambton undertakes to speak of my hon.
friend the Secretary of State for the Provinces, as a traitor to his country, as a traitor
to the Government of which he is a member, when he condescends to make himself the
channel by which all the idle tales of a people, which the member for Lanark describes
as a people of semi-savages, shall find their way into this House, I ask him whether ho
is keeping himself within the bounds of decorum which he has described as suitable for
the discussion of this great subject. I will not humiliate my hon friend the Secretary of
State by treating the charges brought against him as requiring a defence or a denial. At
all events I will treat them as requiring no other defence or denial than their intrinsic
improbability and absurdity. But I will take the liberty of pointing my honorable Mend

to one Kource of consolation ■which he Ims un<ler the circumstances. My honorablw friend
the member for Lam\>ton sits alongside the hon. member for I^anark. They iiro engaged in a
R joint assault on my honorable friend the Secretary of State. They have so far a common
object, but it must have been a source of amusement to my honorable friend, as it cer-
tainly was to the House, to see the hon. member for Lambton suddenly pause in the
course of his fierce invective and turn to hh friend at his side, to let him know what he
thought of him and of his conduct to his political pai-ty and friends. It was quite clear
that the hon. member for xjanark was still unforgiven, and my hon. friend tho Secretary
of State has the consolation to know that there is nothing which either of these gentlemen
can say of him so bad that they have not, during tho last three years, over and over
again said worse of each other, and that ii' the hon. member for liambton has on this
occasion allied himself with the hon. member for Lanark, it is because he wants his
services ofi a kind of political Sioux in hunting down and scalping my hon. friend the
Secretary of State. The hon. member for Lambton has said the debgatca from the
Territory ought to be received.

Mr. Mackenzie. — I did not nay so.

Hon. Mr. Archibald. — Then I have mistaken the hon. gentleman, and I supposed
him to hav3 said what I think he ought to have said. These men are hera by the
invitation of the Canadian Government. They were appointed at a meeting of repre-
sentatives from tho A'arious districts, convened at Fort Garry for that purpose. They
are here, therefore, as the representatives of the people of that district, or, at all events,
the representatives of that portion of the people who have taken part in these troubles.
They may have sympathized "with the actors in the emeute. Very likely they have — if
they had not, they would hardly have been chosen as representatives, and would have
been of little value if they had been chosen. If they can be of any use, it will be because
they have the confidence and may be sujjposed to understand tho views of the people
behind them. These people are in armed insurrection. We wish to know what their
difficulties are, we invite them to send delegates, and they respond to our invitation : and
further, the question is not whether the conduct of these people has been right or wrong.
We want to know what it is they complaiia of, and they send these men to tell us. They
are, therefore, so far representatives, and any insults hurled against them are insults to
the people who sent them here. I ask?my honorable friend for Lambton, if he thinks
any good is to come of his undei*taking to proclaim on the floor of this House that one
of these men is a drunkard and a 1 ifer — and that anothei', in reckless disregard of his
sacred character, has been complicated with rebellion, and violence and outrages of the
"worst kind. A man holding the high position of the Honorable Member for Lambton
in this House and in this country has a large amount of responsibility thrown upon him.
His words should be weighed and measured. I fear such language is not calculated to
promote the settlement of these unliappy troubles.

Sir, I do not say that we should frame om* measure agi-eeably to the views of these
or of any other delegates. We should get our information from every quarter, and tho
measure should be the one |Which recommends itself as best for the interests of the

fl friend
igod in n,
common
it cer-
in thn
what he
ito clear
Secretary
mtlcmcn
md over
on this
^ants his
•iend the
from the

supposed

3 by the

of repre-

e. They

11 events,

troubles.

• have — if

mid have

)e because

he people

vhat their

ition : and

or wrong.

us. They

insults to

he thinks

I that one

;ard of his

gas of the

Lambton

upon him.

culated to

's of these
■, and the
lats of the

Dominion and for iliO prosperity of our common country. My honorable friend from
Lambton Hpeak.s of tlio value of tlio great domain on which wo are about to enter in tho
moHt 'glowing terms. Ho dwells on its iin[)ortanco as tho site of tho only railway which
can find its way to tlio Pacific over a fertile country. 1 entirely agree with him in his
judgment. I feol that the value of this groat Territory cannot bo over-estimated ; and
it is liccauso I feel thus — and because tho Province we are now organizing is tho key of
the whole — that I entertain so strong a desire that wo should got jiossession of this,
which assures us of tho whole. I consider it sound policy to deal in a liberal spirit with
the troubles wo have, so as to efface them at onco and for over. If this Bill proposed to
deal with the whole North-West Territory wo should feel much more difficulty in ap-
proaching the subject. If wo were called upon to give form and shape to tho })olitical
institutions which were to regulate a whole contincjut we would do well to hesitate. To
my mind, the smallness of tho limits of the Province is no objection. If it bo one, it is
one capable of an easy remedy. AH we require to know is, that a larger Territory ought
to bo included, and at any time the limits can bo oxtcndeil. You may enlarge, but you
will find it difficult to contract.

Biit after all, is it so v«ry small ( lb contains 14,000 square miles. That is not a
very largo tract, perhaps, in tho minds of tho people of the great Province of Ontario ;
but with us by the seaboard, a Province live or six times as large as Prince Edward
Island is no contemptible territory.

Mr. Maokexzie.— It is not so larj'c; as Nova Scotia.

Hon. Mr. Archibald. — It is not, but it diflei-s from Nova Scotia in this. A large por-
tion of tho interior of Nova Scotia is barren, inmtli of it is rocky, a large tract is covered
with lakes. If one-fifth of our soil is capable of cultivation it is as nnich as we can
count on ; but in Manitoba there is hardly an acre that is not cultivable. It is capable
of stistaining a population of millions from the soil alone, and such a Province cannot
be called mean or contemptible. It is true the present population does not exceed
fifteen to seventeen thousand, but they will not remain long at that figure. One of the
first results which will follow the organization of tho country will be a largo influx of
immigi'ation. Quebec will contribute its share, Ontario will do the same, many will
come from beyond the water, and in two years we slipil find there a population ot double
the number ; and in five years we may count on a very considerable population. Let
them come from where they may ; let them be of any origin, or race, or creed ; let them
go in and possess the counti-y, working it under the organization we are now framing, or
under any o^her organization which they intuitively may think fit to adopt, all that we
have to do is to see them fairly started in the race. And it is because I Avould like them
started faii'ly that I objected to a feature of the Bill as it oi'iginally stood — that I ap-
prove of the alteration which exteiids the boundaries to include all the fieople. I have
no doubt the Government have given a correct account of the \ low they had in excluding
a portion of its people ; but whether that account be accepted or not, the Bill, in its
original shape, was liable to much misinterpretation, and the Govemmcmt have acted
wisely in changing it.

■^B^K-

In dealing with this question wo aro cortainly in a much Letter position than we
were last year. A flood of light haa poured in upon us, and yet it is inipossihlo to deny
that in many points we aro still in the dark.

This Httlo community, which has grown up in the very heart of the continei-t. Is
unique. There is nothing like it in the world. Heparatod by boundless prairies from
intercourne with the peojjle of ^tho .south, barred out from Canada by 800 miles of swamp
and wilderness, and mountain and lake, separated from the people on tho Pacific shores,
by the almost impiussable chain of iIi'.- Rocky Mountains, they have had little intercourse
witlithe oi:tor world. And yet they have among them][men, who have had the advantages
of tho best education which Europe can afford — men who, in intellectual culture, in
manners, and in every social (lualification, aro not surpassed i:i any country. And yet
tho bulk of the people with whom these men are brought into immediate contact aro the
most primitive people in tho world, aro in the pi-imary stages of society, in tho lowest
and rudest conditions of civilization.

Is it any wonder that a community so secluded from all tho rest of tho vrorld
tminformed of all that is transpiring around them, should bo subject to great, to
unreasonable, alarms when suddenly the barrier is burst which separates them from the
rest of the world, and they see their country about to bo entered by strangers 1 Is it any
wonder that their fears should be excited, and their feelings traded upon by demagogues,
ambitious of power and place ? I do not think it is. I deplore as much as any man in
this House, 1 can blame with as much severity as any man in this House, tho fatal results
which have followed ; but I cannot say I am astonished that, under the circumstances in
which these men were placed and with the* fears they entertained, just such things should
occur as have occurred, and that they should have culminated in the sad event which
wo all alike deplore and condemn. The circumstances in which these e^^ents place us,
impose on us a stern duty. We must re-establish law and order. We must vindicate
the supremacy of the national tlag. But the readiest mode of doing so, and the right
mode of doing so, is, at the same time, to show these people that their fears are unfounded,
to satisfy them that their rights shall be guaranteed, their property held sacred, and that
they shall be secured in all the privileges and advantages which belong to them aa
Britons and aa free men.

This is why I rejoice that the Government have proposed a most liberal Bill, which
gives the people every guarantee they have a right to ask. With this Bill in one hand,
and the flag of our country in the other, we can enter, not as conquerors, but as
pacificators, and we shall satisfy the people there that wo have no selfish object of our
own to accomplish, that we go there for their good as well as for our own good.

Sir, I see provisions in this Bill which are creditable to the Government. It has,
hitherto, been the pride of Canada that, in her dealings with the Indian tribes, she has
evinced a spirit of generosity. — that in making treaties she has dealt liberally, and what
she has promised solemnly she has kept faithfully. And at this moment she is reaping
the reward of her good faith. If there is any one thing more tha^ another that will assist
us in putting an end to these Western^troubles, it is the fact that the Indian tribes, in

tory

iHH

m than we
bio to deny

jiitinM't. Is
airies from
H of swamp
;ific ahoros,
intercourso
advaiitagCH
culture, in
And yot
act are the
the lowest

tho v/orld
great, to
n from the
la it any
)magogue3,
ny man in
ital results
istances in
ngs should
'ent which
s place us,
; vindicate
I the right
nfounded,
, and that
them as

ill, which
one hand,
s, bat as
ect of our

It has,
s, she has
and what
3 reaping
irill assist
tribes, in

every quarter, are gratoftil to their great mother, the Queen, for tho way in which they
have been dealt with, and are loyal to a man.

There is also one other thing that very much helps us. In tho country, at this
mv>ment, there are no more loyal subjects of tho Crown than oui- fellow-citizens of French
descent. There are no nun more truly British in their feelings, no men more sincere
in their attachment to tho (Sovereign, in their lovo of British connection, than are tho
French Canadians. And in this respect th»j half-breods of French origin in tho Terri-
tory reflect tho loyalty which they inherit from both races. They havo no sympathy with
republican institutions, and if at this moment we have but little to fear from filibusteru
and Fenians in the West, it is due to the fact that tho men who are frightened — mo.st
nnnccessarily frightened — into an aggressive attitude, have no sympathy with the people
and no regard for the institutioni of their southern neighbours.

Sir, I think the main featui'es of the Bill which the Government has introiluced are
conceived in a .spirit of fair play ts this peojilo, and I shall have great pleasure in giving
it my support.

And now, Mr. Speaker, there is one matter which I feel bound to allzae to before I
sit down. It really has nothing to do with this discussion, but it has been inti'oduced
into it by gentlemen on both sides. Tho Honorable Member for Lambton, tho Honor,
able Member for Lanark, and the Honorable Member for West Toronto have referred
to a gentleman who is not in this House, who is unable, therefore, to defend himself, in
terms which, I think, call upon some or -, to repel a gross injustice.

A British House of Commons never refuses to listen to the defence of any person,
however humble, when unjustly assailed, and it is because Captain Cameron has been
unjustly and ungenerously dealt with, that I feel it my duty to trespass for a little while
on the indulgence of tie House in endeavouring to do him justice.

T have no particular reason to be the champion of Captain Cameron. I havo not
an intimacy with him of sufficient close a character to justify me in assuming that
function, but I have the honor of some acquaintance with him. That acquaintance enables
me to say to the House thai, as a man of cultivated intellect and refined ^taste, as a
scholar and as a gentleman, he is not second to the v^ery best of his detractors.

The principal point which has been made against Captain Cameron, is that he is not
a man of gigantic stature. Now, I can understp.nd the editor of tho Globe, whose fine
proportions are familiar to many members of this Housa — I can even understand the
member for North Lanark — being prejudiced in this way, but I confess I have difficulty
in conceiving why the Honorable Member for Lambton should consider qualification for
office to be dependent either on height or on girth.

I havo spoken of Captain Cameron as a, let me say, gentleman and a scholar.
Further, that as an officer in the branch of the service to which he belongs, he has had
a very extensive and varied experience. He was appointed to the Artillery in 1856, and
from that time to 1869, in different parts of the world he has been engaged in continuous
service of a kind which demanded the highest order of qualification. I hold in my hand
a record of his services ; it Ib long, and I shall not d( tain the House to read it, but

after what has occurred, I shall feel it my duty to see that it finds its way to the
press.

I would merely say, while speaking on this point, and as an illustration of the
species of service which Captain Cameron has seen, that, on one occasion he conducted an
artillery train from one end of India to the other, from Peshawur in the west to
Dinapoi J in the east, that ho did this in the rainy season, crossing the unbridged rivera
of the Punjaub, and performing the whole march, which occupied three months, without
the aid of any European, except a sergeant and officer in charge of the cavalry escort.
This is not a service that implies the absence of high qualities.

The men under whom Captain Camei'on served were able to appreciate his qualitied.

Their opinions might fairly outweigh those of a Pembina postmaster, even if the
postmaster did pronounce on the subject. At all events, 1 shall take tiie liberty
to read to the House what General Tytler says of Captain Cameron, in a despatch to tlso
Military Secretary of the Commander-in-Chief, dated in"1867.

" Captair Cameron, il.A., served as Adjutant to the Artillery attached to the Left
Brigade Dooal Field Force throughout the Bhootan campaign. He was also attached to
the Armstrong Gth Pr. Battalion, which he even commarded for a limited period.

" Captain Cameron's services in the field, where he frequently comm£.nded the portion
of his own arm employed, were mof t meritorious— nor were his efforts for the advance-
ment of the public service confined ij his own branch. On two occasions, at least, he
rendered important services in the Intelligence department.

" Out of the field he ably and zealously seconded the efforts nf his Commanding
Officer, Captain Wilson, in the conversion of the 6tb Pr. Ai-mstrong Battery into a
mountain cue, capable of being worked with efficiency in the very rugged and preci-
pitous mountains of Bhootan.

" I venture strongly to recommend Captain Cameron to the favorable notice of His
Royal Highness. He has, in my humble opinion, well coined a step in army rank."

Perhaps the House will indulge ma while I read the certijficate of another General
Officer, Brigadier General Dunsford, dated the Gth June, same year.

" Captain Donald Cameron served under my command in the Dooals campaign,
1864, and gave numerous proofs of energy, zeal and courage. Though not engaged with
the column under my immediate command, he was highly reported on by Colonel Watson,
and Major Huxshaw, under whom ho was actively engaged against the enemy, and was
brought favorably to the notice of His Excellency the Commander in Chief

I consider Captain Cameron an excellent officer in every respect. He evinced skill,
judgment, and energy wherever he was employed throughout the campaign, and I would
venture to recommend hia services to the favorable n( tico of Government."

In 1868 or 18P9, Captain Cameron was appointed Adjutant to the First Brigade of
Royal Artillery, stationed at Halifax. Captaiji Cameron identified himself with many
uspful and benevolent institutions in Halifax outside tha line of his military duties, and
1 have pleasure in saying to the House, that there, in private society as well as in
military circles, he endeared himself to a large number of friends and acquaintances.

■"^^^p

way to the

ition of the
londucted an
tho west to
idged rivers
ths, without
ralry escort.

lis qualities,
even if tho
the liberty

patch to the

to the Left
I attached to
sriod.

the pLrtioii
be advance-
at least, he

Commanding

tery into a

and preci-

)tice of His
• rank."
ler General

campaign,
igaged with
lel Watson,
and was

inced skill,
md I would

Brigade of
with many
duties, and
well as in
tances.

Thei'e, too, lie formed a connection, by marriage, with the family of a meml)er of this
House, a circumstance to which, perhaps, he has been indebted for some of tho as])«riiip<>
of tho public press,

t When the arrangem(?nts were being made for Ked River, I am not surprised that
the Government, desirous to a\ ail tliemselves of the sei"vices of a gentleman of such
large and varied experience, oflereu him an appointment in the West. He proceeded
theie, and, with the i-es". of the party, was ba.i'ed out of the Territory.

A great effort has been made to cast ridicule upon .Captain Cameron for what took
place at Pembina. Tlie O'lobe has been at great pains to retail some sneering observation
Haid to have beAi nade by the poatnuvster of that place. Now, I do not what may be
the exact value of the opinion of a petty offirial of the United States va a frontier hamlet,
consisting of a few huts. I would not have thought myself of quoting his opinion, but
as the press which sympathises with the gentlenien in opi)osition has thought fit to do so,
he is their witness and not mine. Nrw, itjust so jiappens that I hold in my hand a
letter fi-om this same postmaster, written on tho 18th February, and as tho Honorable
Member for North Lanark seems to attach some importance to this gentleman's sayings,
lie .111 have the gratification to find tliat he does not confine himself to Captain Cameron
alomi, but gives some opinions about others of the same party.

I read from the letter : —

" We were sorry to lose the Cajitain and his lady, as thoj wei-e very much liked by
all of u.i.

•'I must admit that our first impressions of the Captain were not very flactering.
Probably from some of his eccentricities, but more from the ignoruig of him by all the
party that ho came with, as they denied in toto that he was one of them — that he was
a hanger-on to theii* party whom they picked up somewhere on tho road, or in the
sttt^ement-^that they had nothing to do with him, he not being a member of their
Council, nor to their knowledge had he any appointment, or promise of appointment,
from the Canadian Government. Even Governor McDougall, in tho meeting held with
the Pembina officials, in the Customs Ofilice, gave him a sneering uncalled-for cut, for
ivhicJi he received no response whatever, iv.s by that time we learned to estimate the
Capbiin as the best man of the lot.

■' T do not write this in a spirit of maliciousness, but simply to do justice to one for
w hum we all have the highest regard as a geiitleman, a good and kind neighbour, and,
laying aside his eccentricities, as being superior to those who calumniated hv.n.

** You will please say to them, for us, that should they ever come this way again,
they will meet a cordial welcome from all here."

But, Sir, I will call other evidence Trom tho Opposition quarter.

The Reporter of the Globe and tho Repoi-ter of tho Telegraph were both sent out of
tjie Territory, and o.i their return, these gentlemen bore testimoiiy to tho high character
which Capt. Cameron bore while on the confines of the Territory.

And now, Mr. Speaker, I have to thank the House for the kind indulgence with
which they have listened to observations which partake of_so much peitional nature. I

was quite sure that I was not counting too muck upon their spirit of fair play when 1
asked the liberty of giving this explanation, and I thank them sincerely for the oppor
tunity they have allowed me of repelling, as I have endeavoured to do, some unjust
aspersions on a meiitorious officer, and I have only to regret that his vindication has
net fallen into abler hands.

heights
CJonera

Memorandum of Services of C apt. D. A. Cajneron, R.A., referred to by ITon. Mr. Arohibald,
on his Speech on the Manitoba Bill, May 7, 1870.

1856. Commissioned in Ms vch, 1856.

1859. Selected to join the school of gunnery on its first formation. Adjutant of the
Eoyal Artillery at Aldemey, one of the most «trongly-fortified place." in tha British
dominions, dnrrng its w-armament.

1860-1862. Instructor of gunnery of the Isfc Brigade, R.A., on its fii-st organization
at Fort Elson.

1863. Appointed to field battery, 22nd Brigade, onits first organization. Commanded
two batteries in cholera camp. Adjutant of Royal Artillery at Agra. Selected and
telegraphed for by H.E., the Commander in Chief in India to organize an Armstrong
mountain battery for service in the Ambeyla campaign, north- Avest of India. Appointed
to conduct the battery from Peshawur, on the Ambeyla, north-west of India, to Dina
pore, some miles to the north of Calcutta, preparatory to the Bhootan campaign. Thi.s
march of three months was begun in the unhealthy rainy season, when it was considered
unsafe for European troops to travel, and when the Punjaub rivers (5) were unbridged.
The Indus at Attack — a rapid — one of the streams seven miles in breadth, and a freshet
from the Himalayahs expected to flood the country. Boaides the Battery, thb train
included a long train of waggons with stores, reserves of ammunition, horses and camels.
The only other Europeans who accompanied the train were a sergeant and the officer of
the cavalry escort, the remaining hands being natives. Not a single day's march was
lost ; and the only loss that occurred was from the breaking of a rope in lowering a stora
cart on to a raft in crossing the Jumna at Allahabad.

1864-5-6. Recommended for appointment to the Horse Artillew, Bhootan
campaign. Served throughout as Adjutant. Detached command of the right half
Armstrong Batterj'. Succeeded to the command of the whole battery on the death of
Major Griffin, and t)ie invaliding of Capt. Oliver. Shelled the enemy's position abovo
Buxa. Recomioitred on«j day in advance of force marching on Bala. Commanded tha
rrGed gun battery in attack and capture of Bala. Commanded reconnoiteiing party of
native infantry at Nagoo, and took two prisoners. At the capture of Nagoo suggested,
commanded, and led the party of native infantry employe<l to clear the heightn, when the
polunjn of attack was caught in tho J^viae «^i^4 cut off in ffont ar^d reoj;'— (jjewed tL»

play when I
'or tlie oppor

some unjust,
adication has

fr. Arohihalf!,

Ijutant of the
I tha British

organization

• heights, taking six breastworks in 8uc3633ion ; commanded the Armstrong guns under

(Joneral Diinsford whoa roeonnoitering the enemy's position at Tazagaun in force.

Reconnoitred in command of native cavalry and infantry under fire from the enemy's

guns and advanced works at Bala. Associated under General Tytler with the Quarter

Master-General to make a secret reconnaissance in front, with three men employed to

secretly reconnoitre the approaches to the enemy's position on the left ; surprised an armed

1 party conveying supplioH to the enemy ; captured three prisoners, and explored the route

; among the mountains for the left attack ; commanded tlio artillery with the left attack at

I the recapture of Tazagaun ; commanded the rifled guns at the recapture of Nagoo.

1 1866. Adjutant of the Royal Artillery on the Eastern Frontier District (India) Stafl'

I Officer of the troops, equal to Bi-igade Major, at Juipegoree.

f Staff Officer of the troops at Dangueing, Adjutant of the first Brigade Royal Artillery,

' Hitlifax ; twice or thrice mentioned in general despatches ; recommended to the favorable
consideration of the GovernnieTit by General Dunsford ; recommended for promotion
[ by General Tytler.

Commanded
Selected and
II Armatrontr
Appointed
idia, to Dina
[mign. Thi.s
,s considered
9 unbridged.
nd a fi-eshet
r, thb train

and camels.
;he oIHcer of

march was
iring a store

V, Bhootan
right half
the death of
3ition above
manded tho
ing party of
3 suggested,
ifl, when the
Mi^eai'ed th^

DISCOURS

PRONONC'hl PAR

L'HON. A. G. ARCHIBALD,

I.OII.S DK LA DlSOrSSlOX DU

BILL DE MANITOBA."

, OirAiiBJiE 0E8 Communes,

Ottawa, le 7 mai 1870. .
Monsieur r/ORATEUR,-^Eii ouvrant la ilisciiH.sion, cette apres-midi, rhonorable
repr^,seBtant de Lambton (M. A. Mackenzie) est entr^ dans uue grande vari^t<3 de d^tailn.
II a faicune longue ct am^re critique de la conduite du ministere, comme corps, et de certain.^
menibres d'e I'administration en particulier. Les observations qivil a dt<taillee.s, le ton qii'il a
pris auraient c-te assez convenables s'il se m agi de diseutcr une motion de non-coufiance,
mais le ton ct les observations de I'lionorable representaiit ni'out pavu fort nial ai)propride.s m
sujetquioccupe aetuellement la Chanibre. L:i quertion dont il wagit pent se resumer en
deux points :

Quelle «onstitution allons-nous donuer a, la nouvelle province ?

Avec quelle esp.^ce d'organisation la population de Manitoba va-t-eJle entrer dans cetta
nouvelle phase d'existence nationale ?

Lorsque nion honorable ami de Lambton a dit quune (luestiou d'importance si consi-
derable pour le bien-etre futur de la confederation canadienne devaii etre abord^e avec calme
et reserve, il a ^to I'echo fidele du sentiment unanime de cette Chambre. Mais j* lui demanderai
M le *on de son discours s'accorde bien avec cette opinion si sagement exprim^e par lui-m6me ?
Je lui demanderai si son discours est digne de la pcsition,— la haute position qu'il occupedans
cette Cihambre,— et de nature a servir lea vrais intdrets du pays ?

Lorsque mon honorable ami de Lambton ose qualifier mon honorable ami lo secretaire
d^Etat pour les provinces (I'honorable J. Howe) de "traitre" i, son pays, "traitre" au
gouvemement dont U fait partie,— lorsqu'i] consent a se faire, dans cette Chambre, I'tScho de
toutes les rumeurs oiseuses, r^paudues par dea gens que Ihonorable representant de Lanark
(I'honorable Wm. McDouqall) nous depeint comme i\ demi barbares, n'ai-je pas le droit de lui
demanders'il ne sort pas de la reserve qu'il a d^clarde lui-meme n^cessaire dans le d^bat de
cette grande questioa ?

Je n'humiUerai paa mon honorable ami le secretaire d'Etat en faiuant aux accusations
portees centre lui I'lionncur U'une r<'futation ou d'un dementi fonnel. Ces accusations, j'ose
le dire, sont amplemcnt refutecs et doiuenties par leur proprc invrniscniblance et leur ^ndente
absurdite.

Mais je signalerai k mon honorable ami le socretaire d'Etjit un motif de consolation que
les circonstances lui assurent. Mon honorable ami de Lambton occupe i.. si(5ge voisiu de celui
de Thonorablo repr^'ientant de Lanark. lis so sont alli(5s tons les deux pour attnqucr mon
honorable ami le secretaire d'Etat. En cel;i, ils font cau-se commun« ; mais mon honorable
ami et toute la Charabrc ont dii Gtre singulidrement egayea do voir I'honorable repr»5sentant
de Lanark faire une haltc subite dans sa violente sortie pour adrcsser la parole it son voisiu
et lui dire vomment le parti ct les amis politiques de I'honorable represeutant de Lanark
appr^cient sa conduite. II est clnir que I'honorable repruscntant de Lanark n'a pas encore
regn son pardon ; mon honorable ami a done la consolation d'apprendra que ces deux messieurs
ne peuvent dire de lui rien qu'ils n'aient dit et rep6t6 maintcs fois I'un de I'autre, depuis troia
nns; do sortc quu si I'honorable reprtsentant do Lnmbton a fait alliance, pour I'occassion, avec
I'honorable reprdsentant de Lanark, c'est uniquement parce qu'il avait besoin des services d'une
esp»^ce de Sioux politique prot sL courir sus ii mon honorable ami lo secretaire d'Etat et ^ le
scalper au besoin. — L'honorablo represcntant do Lambton a dit que no'.s devions recevoir las
del^guos du Nord-Ouest.

M. Mackenzie.— Je n'ai pas dit cela,

L'HoN. M. ARCHiBALD.-^'al done mal compris I'honorable monsieur et suppose qu'il
avait dit CO qu'ik, mon ansj il aurait dCl dire. Ces deldguds sont venus ici sur I'invitation du
gouvcrnemeut canadien. lis ont eto nommds il une assemblde des reprdsentantB des divers
districts tenus, dans co but, t Fort Garry. lis sont done les reprd-sentants de la population
de ce district ou, du moins, les rcprdsentants de la population qui a pris part aux troubles
rt<cents. lis ont pu sympathiser avec les actcurs de I'^meute ; il est tres-probable qu'ils ont
gympathia'. Si tel n'c^tait point le cas, on ne les aurait point choisis comme del^gu^s, ouleur
choix eat (5te mauvais. Si leur mission doit etre utile, c'est parce qu'ils ont la confiance de
la population quils repr^sentent et doivent bien comprendre sas vuen. Cette population est
en revoke arm^e, nous ddsirons connaltre ses griefs, nous I'invitons il nous envoyer des dei^gu^s
ct elle r(;poud k notre invitation. II ne s'agit pas de savoir si cette rdvolte est ou non
justifiable. Nous voulons savoir de quoi Ton so plaint, et ces deldgues sont venus pour nous
le dire. Oe sont done des repr^scntants, des parlementaires, dans la vraie acception du mot,
«t toutes les insultes quon leur lance vont il I'adresse de la population qui les envoie.

Je demanderai encore il mon honorable ami de Lambton s'il espdre amener quelque bon
i-tsultat en proclamant, dans cette Chambre, que I'un de ces dA4ga4a est un ivrogne et un
chevalier dindustrie, et que I'autre, au m^pi'is du caract^re sacrd dont Jl est revStu, a pris part
il la r^volte, il des actes de violence, aux attentats les plus abominables ? La haute position
que I'honorable merabre de Lambton occupe dans cette Chambre et dann le pays lui impose
une grave responsabilite. II devrait peser ses paroles et en mesurer la port^e. Je ne croii
pal que son langage aoit de nature il apaiser ces malheureux troubles. J

Je ne pretends paa, moniiieur I'orateur, qu'en 4laborant oette loi nous dovions avoir povtf

objct principal do nous conformer aux vucs dcs d(?l«5gue3 actucls ou do toua autrcs qui pour-
raient nou3 etro cnvoyds. Nous devona rechcrclicr eoign'^'^senient toua h^ rcnacignemenU
accessibles ct nous efforccr de reudre la nouvellc constitution arxm favorable quo noua pourrons
aux intdrets do la conftd(5ration c.inadicnnc et au developponient de la prosperity Rt5ni'ralo du
pays.

Mon honorable ami dc Lambton nous a parld on tcrnics chaleurcux do la valour de
rimmcnso domaine sur le((uel nous aliens entrcr bientot. II a d(5montr(5 surtout dc quelle
importance est pour nous un tcrritoire ou Ton pourra t'tablir le seul tracd pratjcablc d'un
chemin de fer communiquant n\(:c I'Ocdan Pacifique en travcrsant une region fertile, .lo
pnrtagc cntiCsremcnt ses \tici. Jo crois qu'on no peut oxagercr la valcur do cet immense
. tcrritoire, et c'est cette conviction — nppuyt^o du fait que la province dont il s'agit ent comme
la clef do tout le ttrritoirc, — qui mo fait si ardemmeut souhaitor quo nous proniona
posscsi^ion do cette province, powe.spion qui nous garantit bientot la paisiblo occupation do tout
le Nord -Quest.

C'est une bonne politique, ;Y mon avis, d'agir avec liboralite dans lea troubles qui nous
inqv' tent, afin 'do Ics apaiser et d'en effacer it, jamais lo souvenir. Si lo bill soumis A la
Chaniure affectait tout lo tcrritoire du Nord-Oucst, la question devicndrait boaucoup plus
difficile. Nous aurions lieu d'hesiter avant de passer une mcsuro fixaiit [les institutions politi-
ques appeldes k rdgir tout u.i contiuont. Mais, d'autre part, I'-Jtcnduo rostreinto de la pro-
vince no constitue pas, selon moi, une objection. Si c'cn est uug, on peut facilement y
rcmddier. Du moment oii nous sriurons qu'il est opportun d'ajouter un temtoiro plus vastc h
la nouvello province, il nous sera tonjours loisiblo d'(5tendrc ses limites. On pout aisdment
agrandir Ics limites d'une juridiction, il est parfois difficile Jc les resscrrer.

Mais, apris tout, cette province ost-elle done si petite? Ello a 14,000 milieu carres de
puperficie. Aux yeux des habitants dc la vaste province d'Ontario, cette superficie peut no
pas sembler tr«is-considdrable, raais pour nous qui habitons lo bord de la mcr, une province
cinq ou six fois plusdteudue que I'lle du Prince Edouard u'est pas un tcrritoire A ddd.iigner.

M. Mackenzie. — EUe n'cst pas si grandc que l:i Nouvelle-Ecosse.

L'HoN. M. Archibald. — Xon, mais voici la diffdrcnec. Une grandc partio de I'intc-
rieur de la NouA'elle-Ecosse est sterile, une autre portion notable est rochcusc ct une vasti'
('■tenduc est couverte do lacs. A peine si un cinquiemc do nos terrcs est propre a la culture,
tandis que, dans la provincf) do 3Ianitoba, Ton tiouverait iV jieino un acre de terre non arable.
Le sol de cette province peut nourrir des millions d'ha})ituuts, ct voihl pourquoi .scmblable
acquisition n'est pas k dddaigner. II est vrai que la popal;ition actuelle n'excMo pas do quinze
•X dix-sept mUle Smes, mais ccs chifFres scront biontot iK'p;iK.«e3. Un des premiers resultaif;
qii'amenera I'organisation du pays sera d'etablir un v.if-tn cnuraut d'immigrntion. Les pro-
vinces de Qudbec et d'Ontario founiiront leur coniingcui-, — on verra memo un gratid nombrc
d'immigrants Europdons ; — dans deux ans, lu population sera doublde et, au bout de cinq
ana, nous pouvons compter sur une population tr6.<^-nombreusa. Aux immigrants de tous pay.*;,
sans distinction d'origine, de race ou de croyance, qu'on fasse bon accueil. Qu'ils s'cmparent
du Bol et I'exploitcnt sous la constitution que nous allons dtablir ou sous touto autre organisa-
^oo que leg habitants de la prounce jugerqnt convenablo d'odoptcr ; tout ce qne nous arons 4

faire, c'est dc seconder Icurs premiers effnri.s. C'est dans oe but que j'ai objccti' h unc elause
nriglnaircnient ius<'r(?c dans le bill, ct que j'approuvc raniendement qui etcnd !cs limites de
la province, do nianii'^re i\ y admettrc tous Ics groupes de la population. Nul doute que I'adjui-
nistration a fVanchcniont explique le buii de I'cxclusion qu'clle vouluit faire, mais que Ion
admetto ou n'admctte pas cette explication, Ic bill, daus sa forme primitive, utait sujct si
fausso interpretation et le gouvernenient a bicn eu raison dc le modifier.

Pour traitcr cette question, noug soiumea dans des circonstances beauconp plus favorables
que I'an dernier. Le jour s'cst grandemeat fait, et cependant il est imp wsiblc dc nier que, sur
phisicurs points, nous houjuios encore daiiS Ics tenebres.^

CJette petite socicte qui s'ost forniue au cceur memo du continent, I'st uniijuc dans .son
genre. Rien d'analoguc n'existe dans le mondc. Separdo des populations du Sud par des prai-
ries sans borues, ct du Canada pur 800 milles de savanes, de deserts, de niontagnes et de laes,
isolea des populations qui liabitent les cotes du Paeifiquo par la cliaiue presque infrancbis-
sable des Montagues llocbeuscs, elle n'a jamais eu que pen de rapports avec le roste du
niondej; et ccpendaut on y trouve des bommes qui ont cu tous les aventages que jxjut donuer
la mcilleurc c'ducatiou curopeenne, des bommes ({ui n'ont rien .Y envicr aux citoyens d'aucun
pays eu cc qui rcgarde la culture de rintelligcncc et des moeurs, aiusi que toutes les qualitt^s
socia'os. Pourtant la majorite de la population avec laqnelle ces bommes sent en rapport
imni' diat est encore ii Tc'tat Ic plus primitif : c'est unc societe daus son cnfance qui travei-se
Ics premieres et rudes phases de la civilisation.

Est-il surprennnt qu'unc societe isolec ainsi du restc (hi mondc, ignorant ce qui so pa.sse
nutour d'cllc, se .soit abandonnee i\ des alarmes violentcs, bien que non fondees, lorsqu'elle a
vu Be briscr la barrierc qui la ndparnit du monde cxtdrieur, lorsciu'elle a appris que .son
territoire allait etre envabi par des etrangers ? Est-il surprcnant que ses craintes aient etc
surexcitdes puis exploitees par d'ambiticux d^maguogues, avides de pouvoir ct de places ? —
Je ne vols rien de surprcnant :i ccla. Je ddplore autant qu'aucun raembre decctto a.«semblep.
et je blame aussi sdv^rement qu'aucun de mcs colli^gues les tristes rdsultats dc cette surexci-
tation ; mais je ne m'dtonue pas que, dans les circonstances ou se trouvaient ccs bommes, de
tels dvdnements soient arrivds et que le dunoftment du dramc ait etd Tact* sanglaut que nous
ddplorons et condamnons tous d'une voix.

Ces dvdnements ont amcne un dtat dc choses qui nous oblige ii un devoir se\<jre. Xous
devons faire respecter la loi et rdtablir Tordre. Nous dcvous vengcr Tbonueur du drapcau
national. IMais le moyen le plus prompt, eomme le plus sur, de realiser cc triple objet est de
faire voir k cette population que ses craintes etaient vaiucs, que ses droits .scrout gar»ntis ; de
hii ddmontrer que ses propridtds seront respectees ct (|ue nous lui assurons la joui.ssanco de
tous Ics droits ct privileges qui appartiennent a des sujcts anglais, a des bonmies libres.

C'est pourquoi je me rdjouis de cc que le gouvernemcnt ait prescntu iiu projct de loi
parfaitement liberal qui donnc a cuttc population toutes los garantics qu'clle a le droit de
rdclamer. Forts de cette loi et msrchant a I'abri dc uotro drapeau national, nous pouvons
entrer sur cc territoire, non pas en couqudrants, mais en pacificateurs, et nous parviendrons a
convaincre cotte population que nos projets ne sont pas egoistes, que nous voulons sou bicu
autant que le nStre.

dl
il

Monsieur I'orateur, il y n, dans co bill, dea clauses qui font particulit^rcmcnt hontiour uu
gouverncmcut. Jusqu'A. prdnont, lo Canada pout Ctre ficr dc co que, d;ms scs rapports avcc
lc8 tribus sauvagos, il u toujours fait prcuvc d'un esprit do <:;rande g»<ni^rfisitd, dc cc que,
dans SOS trait(?s, il a toujours ajj;i d'une manicNro lib(5ralo ct tenu avec fid»5lit(5 les pronicsses
solonncllcuicut faitcs. Lc Canada rf:goit aujourd'hui la r(5coinporise do s'l boiuio fui. S'il est
uno chose qui doivc nous aider plus puissamniont que toutc autre a n^glcr nos difficultes dans
lo Nord-Ouest, c'est lo fait que los tribus sauvagos, sur tons les points dc ce territoirc, sont
reconnaissantos ^ lour " Mere " la Reinc, do la maniiire dont ello les a toujours traitecs, ct
animics, cnvcrs lour louToraine, d'une loyaut(5 sans reserve.

Un autre fait nous aidcra oncor» bcaucoup. En cc moment il n'y a pas, dans le pays,
de Bujets britannitjuos plus .uyaux que nos concitoyens d'origino frinraise. II n'est pas
d'hommes plus fidiilcs que les Canadiens-FranQ^iis dans lour attachoment d la couronne ct aux
institutions anglaises. Sous ce rapport, les metis d'origine franjaisc rofl6tent les Hcntimonts
de& deiix races dont ils sont issus. lis n'ont aucune synipatliio pour los institutions am<5-
ricainos, et si, aujourd'hui nous avons peu de choscs li craindre dos flibustiers et dos fenicns,
dans rOiiest, c'est parccque la population qui a pris si inutilemeut, cnvors nous, une attitude
hostile, n'«5prouve aucune synipathie pour les citoyens ni pour les institutions dc la republiquo
voisice.

Jo croifl, monsieur I'orateur, que les principalcs dispositions du bill sont cotigucs dans
un veritable esprit dc justice en vers la population do la nouvelle pi'ovince, et je serai heurcux
de donner mon appui h. cotto mesure.

Maintenr.nt, monsieur I'orateur, avaut de rcprondre mon si^go, jo me crois oblige de
dire un mot d'une question etrangi^re, en rt5alit(5, a ce d(5bat, mais quo des honorablcs membres
de la droite et de la gauche y out iutroduite. L'honorable rejn-c'scntant de Lambton,
I'honorablc rcprdsentant de Lanark et I'lionorable rej)resentimt de Toronto Ouost (M. R. A.
Harrison) out fait allusion il un monsieur qui n'est pas dans cotte Chambre, — et cousd-
queunnont no pout se ddfendre lui-meme, — dans des termes qui exigent que quelqu'uii reclame
contro uno injustice aussi flagrante.

Une chambre des communes anglaise n'a jamais refus<} d'entendrc la defense d'aucune
personne, — si humble qu'elle fdt, — lorsquc ccttc personne ^tait injustcmcnt attaquee, et c'est
parce qu'on a traitd le capitainc Cameron sans justice et s ins generositd que je crois devoir
recourir til I'indulgence de cotte Ciiambre et ossayer do rendre justice i\ ce monsieur.

Je n'ai aucune raison spt^ciale de me constituur le champica du ca})itaine Cameron. Mes
relations avec lui no sont pas d'un caractore assez intinio pour suflire a justifier st'uiblable
attitude de ma part; m^jisyai I'honneur de conniiitre le capitainc Cameron et je puis affirmer
ici que sous lc rapport de lintelligenoe, de I'instruction (*) ct des mani^res, il ue le c6de
en rien au plus accompli de ses detraotcui's.

Ce qu'on reproche surtout au capitainc Cameron, c'est qu'il n'a pas une taille glgan-

(*) Lo capitainti Cameron a Jeruiereinent tradult en anglais l/Esqiiisse sur h Nord-OiicH dc I'Jmdrique,
par Mjjr. TacM. Co travail prcsentait do trba-grandes ditUcultes. Or, la traduction du capitainc Cameron
«8t uxoullvutu, de Turia uiuhubim dm pwnounm qui I'out uompar^ wtuo lu t«xV» fran^iii.— JVvtv d\k tradvK-

tewr.

tcwjuc. Jo coniprouds qu'il cxisto dcs i)r<5jugds ik cot dgard chcz lo rt'Jactcur du Gfobe
(I'honorabu! Ckoikjk Uiujwn,) dont Ioh buUcs prnportioiis wmt faiuilii^ves a un f,'ruiid noiubro
des inciubroH do celte UKSombldo ; jc iii'cxj)li(iucriii.s iiiomo, au be^(jiii, d. s projuguH uiialomicB
clicz riidiiorablo reprdsonlaiit do Lanark Nord, — luaisj'ai bion do la peine iV concovoir que
I'lionorablo rcprdsoiitant do Lanibtoii faHHo dopcndiv lo nidrito d'liii dlBciur publio dcs dimoQ-
sious quo cot officicr mosuro cu hauteur ou en circonfcrenco.

J'ai parld do la haute instruction et dos maniorcs du capituino Cameron ; j'ajoutorai quo
commo oflicior, dans la division du scrvico a laijuollo il appartiont, il s'ot* trouvd a monio
d'ac({U(irir uuo experience trt^s-f^rande et tres-varide. 11 i'ut noinind offieier d'artilloriu ca
1856 et dcpui.s eetto dpocjue, juscju'en 18C9, il a fait, sans interruption, dans divurses parties
du mondo, un service qui oxiycait des eupacitd:^ do premier ordre. Voici scs dtats do services ;
c'est un long ducument et je ii'abuserai pas do la complaisance do la Chambro on lui en
dounant lecture ; mai.s apr^s ce <jui a eu lieu, jo dois veiller a ce que ces etats de scrvico soient
publids dans les jouruaux.

Jo dirai seulcmcnt, pour donncr une iddo du genre do service asslgnd au capitaiue
Cameron, qu'en 1803 il conduisit un train d'artillerie d'uuc extremitd h I'autre del'Indo, do
Pesehaouer, a I'Ouest, jus(|u'a Diuapour, ii I'Est ; (|ue co trajet fut entrepris durant la saison
pluvieusi>, qu'il cut a trancUir toutes les rivieres du I'unjaub, rivieres sur Icsfiucllos il n'y u pas
do pouts, et que cette marcho do trois niois fut accomplie sans I'assistanco d'aucun europeen,
sauf un sergent et Tofficier qui commandait rescorte do cavalerie. Cos faits no denotent pas
un oflBcier incapable.

Les officiers, sous les ordres desquels lo capitaino Cameron servait a diffdreutos dpoques,
ont pu apprdcier ses qualites. Leur opinion vaut bien celled'un maitre de postc de I'embina,
on supposant (ju'un tel maitre do poste so soit pronoucd a cet dgard. Quoi(|u'il en soit, jo
prcndrai la libertd de lire -X la Chambro co qu'dcrivait le gdndral Tytler, au sujet du capitaino
Cameron, dans uno ddpeche qu'il adrcssait, en 18G8, au secrdtairo militaire du commandant
en-chef.

" Le capitaino Cameron, A. R., a scrvi commo adjudant du corps d'artillerie attachd A la
" brigade gauche de I'armdc d'oxpddition, durant touto la campagne du D(Joab. II a dgale-
" ment fait partio de la battcric Armstrong (canons do six) qu'il a memo conimandde pendant
" un certain temps.

" En campagne, ou il a frdquemmeut cominandd los corps dont il faisait partie, ses services
" ont toujours mdrite les plus grands dloges et no se bornent pas h la spdcialitd. Deux fois
" au moins, grace h ses connaissances scientifiques, il a pu contribucr a, d'ira,)ortautos amdlio-
" rations dans le service. ,

" Son habilot^ et son z6lc out puissamment sccondd les efforts do Pon chef, le capitaino
" Wilson, pour convertir les canons de six de la batteric Armstrong en canons do montagne
" Busceptibles d'etre utilitds dans les montagnos sauvages ot oscarpdcs du Boutau.

" Je prends la liberie de recommander fortement le capitaine Cameron i"i la bienveillance
" de Son Altcssc Royale ; dans mon humble opinion, il a bien mdritd de ravancement."

La chambrc me permcttra peut^tre de lire le certificat d'un autre officier-gdndral Ic
brigadier-g^ndral Dunsford ; ce oertifioat est datd du 6 juia de la mdme anode :

" Lo en) •• i.io DonnM C.imcron a sorvi kous mos ordrcs flnrnnt la campnnjne du Dooab,
" ct a doniK'; '' i" 'lives noaibroiHcs d'l'rK'rj^ic, do zclo ot do cournpc. II no sprvait pia dans
" In colonno nn^ jo coiniiinndiiiH porsniuicllcinoiit, luul i lo coluiicl Wutsoii etle major Huxshaw,
" sons les ordi' s dcsquolH il a vaill.iminont coiiibuttu, font do lui los plus gi-onds I'loj^cs et
" hI;. lalciit sea ^rrviccs iV Sou Exccllonco lo conimitndant-cn-chof'.

'• Jc rcg.ivdo Ic c.ipitiiine Canicroii comnio iin oxct'llont ofRcior houh touH Ich rapports.
" 11 a toujours fait pnuivo d'habilotil, do ju^'oment ot d'onor:,'io durant toiitc la canip,i,i,'iu\ ot
" jc proiuls la liborto dc Hij^ialor sea wrviocs au •jouvcmcmcnt. "

En 18G8 on 1809, lo eapitaine Canierou fut notnnu' ..djudant de la prcniioro brigade de
rartillorie royalc, en garnison i\ ii.ilifax. Kn dehors de ses fonctiuns militairos, It; eapitaine
Cameron sut so rendro eminomment ntilo H pluniours institutionH de bienveillanco de Halifax,
et je Huis heureux do pouvoir dire que dans la socidte, comnic dans les eerclos militaires, il
8ut so faire hautomcnt appeeior parun j^rand nombro d'amis et de connaissaneoH.

Cost A. Halifax (jnil dponna la fillo d'un nieuibre de eettc Chambro, et peut-etro cctto
alliance n'est pas tJtrangiiro aux attaqucs violcntcs ct acrimonicuscs dont il a 6t6 1'objet dans
lea journaiix.

Je no Hui.s pa,s Hurpri.s qne, lors des arrangements qui furent faitn, I'an dernier, pour la
Rivi6n-Kougo, lo gouvernoment, ddsireux de s'assurer les sorviccH d'un ofRcicr dont rcxp<5-
rienee ost si grandc et si varide, lui ait offert nno position dans I'Oucst. II s'y rendit avec les
autres envoyds du gouvcrnement ct, pas plus qu'oux, il no put entrer sur le ten-itoire.

On s'ost efforcd de jeter du ridicule sur le eapitaine Cameron i\ propos de ce qui s'ost
passd ^ Pembina. Le Globe u pris toutos les peines du monde pour recueillir ot prdsentor ti
ses lectcurs quclques observations malicieuses faites, dit-on, par L maitre do poste de cette
locality. Je ne sais pas an juste quelle valour on doit donner ti I'opinion d'un petit fonction-
nairc des Etats-Unis habitant, sur la frontiOre. un petit village compose do quelques potites
linttos. Je n'aurais jamai« songd do moi-menic a citcr pnroillo opinion ; laais eomme la presse
qui sympathise avec les honorablcs mcmbres de la gauche a cm devoir faire pareille citation,
le dit maitre de postc t:-l 1 iir temoin et non le mien. Or, void que j'ai en ma possession une
lettre de ce nifnie maiti'c de poste, dcrite le 18 fevricr, ot puiscjue I'honorablo reprdscntant de
Lanark semble attacher quelquo importance au dire de ce fonctionnaire, il aura tout-i-riieure
le plaislr de so convaincre que le dit maitre de poste s'cst permis de juger non-sculemont le
eapitaine Cameron, mais d'autres individualitds du parti envoyd par le gouverneraent canadien,

Je lis dans cette lettre : —

" Nous regrettons beaucoup de pordre le eapitaine Cameron ct sa dame, parce qu'ils
" dtaient fort aimds parmi nous.

" Je dois admettre qu'au premier abord nous n'avons pas congu une opinion tr^s-
" flatteuse du eapitaine, peut-6tre -X cause ae ses allures un peu exeentriques, muis bien plus
" parce que les autres envoyds canadiens semblaient I'ignorer in toto et niaient formellement
" qu'il fClt un des lours. lis le reprdsentaicnt monie comme un officieux opportun qu'ils
" avaieut rcncontrd en route ou i\ rdtablisscment et prdtendaient n'avoir aucune relation avec
" lui parce qu'il n'dtait pas membre do leur conseil et, k lour connaissance, n'avait aucune
" nomination ni aucune promesse de nomination de la part du gouvemement canadien. Un

" jour luume lo gouvorncur MacUotigall, durunt une entrcvuc nvcc los fonctionnaircs imblicB
" dc Poinliiua, dariH lo bureau dcs douanen, lan^a nu capitaino Cameron uno plaisantcrie
" malicieusc (|uecelui-ci n'uvait aucuriemcincnt iiu'rit^i ot aUuiuello il «c dnip;na pas rt^pondre
" uii mot. Do CO jour uoun apprlmCH k estimcr lo capitainc Cameron et nouH lo re^ardions
'* comme Ic mci/li'iir de, la btnule.

" Je n'dcrirt p.i.s coci ii, mauvaisc intention, Ition an contrairo, jo n'ai qu'un ddwir, c'cnt da
i; rendrc juHticc il ua hommo pour leiiuel nous avons la j>1um liauto eHtime; lo capitaino
" Cameron est un vrai }z;entilhomme, un voisin boii et iiimable et, snuf quehiuca pctitfis
"^oxcentricitt'H, il est bicn supt'^ricur i\ ccux qui lo calonniient.

" Ditos bien ii su damo et il lui-mi'mo (juc si jamais \h rcvlonnent h, Pembina, ils y
" reeevront un cordial aeciieil de tout lo mondo.'%1

Volci un autre tenioif-najfo qui mo viont de I'opposition.

Lo rapporteur du 'jlvbe et colui du Teletjmph liirent ebasses du territoirc, commo on le
sait. A lour retour, cos doux mes,->iour,s faisiiiont Ich plus <:;rands elofres du capitaino Cameron
ot temoignaient de I'oHtimo gt^noralo (ju'll avait 8U gaguor pendant wm sdjour i\ la I'rontiire.

Maintenant, monsieur I'orateur, il me reste b. remercier la Chambro de rindulgenco
qu'ellc! a mise \ (?coU')r ces details porsoimols. J'dtais sflr que la C'handire accueillorait ces
explicntions awe le sentiment de justice qui la distingue toujours, et jo la remcrcie sinceroment
do m'avoir donue occat^ion do r(>pou8Sor des attaciucs injustes contre un officior de mtSrite ; jo
ne rogrettc (lu'uno chose, c'est (jue paroillo tacbo no Hoit pas (Jcbue \ un plus habile que moi.

Etats do serriy da cnpitaitin D. -.1. Cameron, A. /'., vtentiomies dans h disconrs de
Thonoruhlc. A. G. Archibald, mr le '- Jtill de Ma)utoha," 7 mni J 870.

185f>. — Rcyoit sa commission au mois de mars 185(5.

1359._Pti^igne pour I'ecolc d'artillerie lors do sa formation. Adjudant de rartillerio
royale i\ Aurigny, I'une des places les plus fortes dc I'empire britamn"((ue, lors dc son;r(5-

aru:cmcnt.

18()0 18(]2.— Instru,ct( ur d'urtillcric dc la Ire brigade de rartillerio royalc, lors de sa

premiere organisation ik, Fort Elson.

18(53. — Nommt^ t\ la battoric de campagne, 22me brigade, lors de sa premiere organisa-
tion. Commando deux batteries au camp, il I'epoquc du cholera. Adjudant de rartillorie royale
tl Agra. Choisi et mand(5 par t<51dgraphe, par Son Excellence lo commandant-cn-chef de
rindc pour organiser unc battoric Armstrong do montagnc pour lo service durantla campagne
d'Amoyla, au N.-O. de I'lndc-Choisi pour conduire lal)atterie dc PcEchaoucr, surj'Ameyla,
au N.-O. do rinde, jusqu'il Dinapour, il quclquos milles N. do Calcutta, prdalablement k
I'expodition du Boutan. Cctte marche de trois mois fut entreprise dans la saison malpaine et
pluviouso, alors ^uc tout lo mondo considiire commo cxccssivement dangeroux de mettre;; des
troupes curop.5timcs en marche, et qu'il n'y avait pas de pgnts sur auciine des 9 rivieres du
Punjaub. L'Indus, il Attack, un rapide,— fleuvc qui a sept milles de large, menagait;^de

<le

ddbordcr, ct Ton B'attcndnit 4 nne inoivlition violnnto du cCM dos monts ITiinalnyn. Outro
la bftttorio, le train coinprcnnit uiio Idii^ue cuito dc fburj^ons, portant dcM iirovmions ct des
munitions dc uuorro, — plus, nonibro di) ohcvuux ot do chiinKianx. Le« bouIs curopdons qui
accompaj^naicnt lo train dtaient un flori^ent ot TofRcior commandant I'DMCorto do cavalcrio,
touH les nutrcs (Itaicnt des iiulij^'t'iics. II n'y cut pas un jour do retard dans octto luarche ; la
Boulo pcrtc qui cut lieu fut causeo par l.i rupture d'un cable en dcHCcndant un fourj^on Jo
proripions sur un radeau pour trnvorx'-r la Junnia il Allahiibid

lH(;i-5--C. — lU'coninianili' poui- nnminaliini dans la cavilcrio ii clicval, campa^no du
Boutan. Fit la canipagne comnie adjudant. Detaclie pour commander I'aile droite dc la bat-
terio Armstrong. P'dsignd pour commaiKler touto la battorio i\ la raort du major Griffin ot
loKKjuo lo capitaine Oliver prit ses invnlides. Bombardo la jxisition do I'ennemi en amont do
Buxu. Desigue pour falro uno reconnaissance, un jour do marcho en avant do la force qui so
dirigcait sur Bala. Commando li batterio d'artillerio lor.s dS la prise do Bala. Coniman<lo la
reconnaissance faito par rinl'antorio indi!.r<^»e iV Nagour, — fait doux i)risoiiniers. A la prise do
Nagour siigg(5ra d'onvoyer un corps d'inlant"rie indigtine pour s'emparer des hauteurs, com-
niuude cetto attacjuc oi\ les assaillants furcnt . nf('rm(''s dans un ravin, no pouvant nl ."."ancor,
ni retraitcr, s'ompara des hauteurs ct prit six bastions dc luite. Commaiida la batterio Arm»
trong, sous les ordres du general Dunsford, lors do la reconnaisaanco do la position do Tennomi
t\ Tazgaon. Fit une reconnaissance it la tete do la cavalcrio cl do rinfanterie indigenes, sous
le feu do rcnncmi et des batteries avanceos de Bala. Designd par lo gdiidral Tytler, avec lo
quartier-maitre-gdndral, pour faire uno reconnaissance secri^te en avant, tivoc trois hommea
choisis pour rcconnaitro secr^tcment la position de renuemi i\ gauche, surprit un parti armd
* portant des provisions d I'enuemi, fit trois prisonnicrs, ct explora la route dans les mont'ignes
pour I'attaque sur lo flanc gauche. Commaada rartillerie lors dc la reprise de Tazgoou, com-
manda rartillerie (canons rayds) ii lu reprise de Nagour.

1868. — Adjudant do rartillerie royale dans le district Est de la fronti^rc (Indo), —
nommd officier d'dtat-major, grade dquivalent i\ cclui de major dc brigade, is, Jucpcgoree.

Nommd officier d'dtat-major ^ Danguemg.

Adjudant de la premiere brigade de riu-tillerio royale, i\ Halifax; deux ou trois foismen-
tionnd dans les ddp6ches gdndrales, et recommandd au gouvcrnement par le gdndral Dunsford.
Portd pour de I'avancement par lo gdndral Tytler.

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