the English parishes to elect twelve representatives to meet
the President and representatives of the French-speaking population. He
likewise summoned them to assemble in twelve days.

McDougall, prospective Governor, on hearing of these things, wrote to
Governor McTavish, calling on him to make proclamation that the rebels
should disperse, and a number of the loyal inhabitants made the same
request. The sick and helpless Governor fourteen days after the seizure
of the Fort, and twenty-three days after the date of the affidavit of
the rising, issued a tardy proclamation, condemning the rebels and
calling upon them to disperse.

The convention summoned by Riel, met on November 16th, the English
parishes having been induced to choose delegates. The convention at this
meeting could reach no result and agreed to adjourn to December 1st. The
English members saw plainly that Riel wished the formation of a
provisional government, of which he should be head.

At the adjourned meeting, Riel and his fellows insisted on ruling the
meeting and passed a bill of rights of fifteen clauses. The English
representatives refused to accept the bill of rights, and after vainly
trying to make arrangements for the entrance to the country of Governor
McDougall, returned home, ashamed and discouraged.

Turn now to the condition of things in Pembina, from which prospective
Governor McDougall is all this while viewing the promised land. He and
his family are badly housed in Pembina, and he is of a haughty and
imperious disposition.

December 1st was the day on which the transfer being made of the country
to Canada, his proclamation as Governor would come into force. But it so
happened on account of the breaking out of Riel's revolt, the transfer
had not been made.

Now came about a thing utterly inexplicable, that Mr. McDougall, a
lawyer, a privy councillor, and an experienced parliamentarian, should,
on a mere supposition, issue his proclamation as Governor. Riel was
aware of all the steps being taken by the Government, and so he and the
Metis laughed at the proclamation. McDougall was an object of pity to
his Loyalist friends, and he became a laughing stock for the whole
world.

His proclamation, authorizing Col. Dennis to raise a force in the
settlement to oppose Riel, was of no value, and prevented Col. Dennis
from obtaining a loyal force of any strength, which under ordinary
circumstances he would have done.

As all Canada looked