uration of a new system of
survey their titles to the lands which they held might be jeopardized.
Moreover, they thought that they should have been consulted when the
purchase and transfer of the territory was made. The French half-breeds
were especially fearful that the Dominion Government might dispute their
titles to the lands, and gave Colonel Dennis to understand that trouble
might result if he attempted to carry out his plans of survey. In the
meantime Hon. Wm. Macdougall had been appointed Lieutenant-Governor of
the Northwest Territory, and started west for the purpose of assuming
office. He had been warned by Col. Dennis of the unfriendly feeling
which prevailed among the half-breeds in respect to himself and the
Dominion Government, and on arriving at Pembina (Minnesota), he was
more forcibly notified of the disaffection which existed when he
was forbidden by them to cross the border into the territory. He was
determined to go ahead, however, and advanced about two miles over
the line with his party, when he received news from Col. Dennis that
rebellion was rife, and that the insurgents, under the leadership of
Louis Riel, were determined to prevent his further progress. Riel had
posted armed guards at various points along the trails leading from
Pembina to Fort Garry for the purpose of resisting the advance of
Lieutenant-Governor Macdougall, and as there was not a sufficient force
available to overcome the rebels, he was obliged to remain where he was.
Then Riel became emboldened, and seized Fort Garry, where he set up a
"Provisional Government," and organized a force to hold the territory.
During the fall and winter of 1869 and 1870 he held high revels at
Fort Garry, and amused himself by arresting and imprisoning all loyal
Canadians he could lay hands on. Several prominent citizens were
confined in the fort by Riel's order and subjected to insults and
indignities, while their worldly possessions were pillaged and
destroyed. Among those who especially fell under Riel's displeasure was
a loyal Canadian named Thomas Scott. He was a bold and fearless young
man, and his sturdy patriotism to his country and his determined manner
of expressing his views, angered Riel, who ordered him under arrest. He
was taken to Fort Garry and confined in a cell, but made his escape.
He was soon recaptured, and Riel at once convened a court-martial
and sentenced Scott to be shot at 10 o'clock the next morning. The
unfortunate priso