ns of
cultivation, in the next year demonstrated the fertility of the soil of
the country.

It was somewhat distressing to the Colonists again in 1813 to make the
journey of sixty miles to Pembina, trudging along the prairie trail, but
there was no other resource. The treatment of the Colonists by the
"Nor'-Westers" had not thus far been unfriendly and the Canadian traders
had even imported a few cattle, pigs, and poultry for the use of the
settlers, and for these favors Governor Macdonell expressed his hearty
thanks to the Montreal Company. The fatigues and mishaps of the journey
to Pembina were, however, only the beginning of trouble for the winter.
The reception by the French half-breed residents of Pembina was not now
so friendly as that of the previous winter. At first the Nor'-Wester
feeling had been one of contempt for the Colonists and pity for them in
their hunger and miseries. The building of Fort Daer was an evidence of
occupation that caused the jealous Canadian pioneers to pause. The
reception of the second season was thus decidedly cool. The struggling
settlers found before the winter was over that troubles come in troops.
Very heavy snows fell in the winter of 1813-14. This brought two
difficulties. It prevented the buffaloes coming freely from the open
plains into the rivers and sheltered spots. The buffalo being a heavy
animal is helpless in the snow. The other difficulty was that the
settlers could not go on the chase with freedom. Unfortunately the
Colonists were not able to use the snowshoe as could the lively Metis.
The settlers well nigh perished in seeking the camp whither the native
hunters had gone to follow the buffalo. Indeed the Colonists had the
conviction that a plot to murder two of their most active leaders was
laid by the French half-breeds whose sympathies were all with the
"Nor'-Westers."

The climax of feeling was reached when Governor Macdonell, who was with
the Colonists at Pembina, issued a most unwise proclamation, which to
the Nor'-Westers seemed an illegality if not an impertinence. Dependent
as the settlers were on the older Company for supplies and assistance
this was nothing less than an act of madness.

By proclamation, on the 8th of January, 1814, Macdonell forbade any
traders of "The Honorable Hudson's Bay Company, the North-West Company,
or any individual or unconnected trader whatever to take out any
provisions, either of flesh, grain or vegetables, from the country."