LORD STRATHCONA'S HAND.

On Christmas Day, 1870, John Bruce, who was but a figurehead, resigned
his office of President of the so-called Provisional Government of Red
River Settlement, and the ambitious Louis Riel was chosen in his stead.
The Dominion Government had at length, been awakened to the danger.
Divided counsels still prevailed. Two Commissioners, Grand Vicar
Thibault and Col. De Salaberry, arrived at Fort Garry, but they were
safely quartered at the Bishop's palace at St. Boniface, and as they
professed to have no authority, Riel cavalierly set them aside. At this
time the American element in the hamlet of Winnipeg became very
offensive. Riel's official organ, "The New Nation," was edited by an
American, Major Robinson. This journal was filled with articles having
such head-lines as "Confederation," "The British-American Provinces,"
"Proposed Annexation to the United States," etc., etc. Or, again,
"Annexation," "British Columbia Defying the Dominion," "Annexation our
Manifest Destiny." All this was very disagreeable to the
English-speaking people, and highly compromising to Riel.

But the real negociator was at hand, and he not only had the authority
to speak for Canada, but had Scottish prudence and diplomacy, as well as
real influence in the country, from holding the highest position in
Canada of any of the officers of the Hudson's Bay Company. This chief
factor was Donald A. Smith, whom we have since learned to know so well
as Lord Strathcona. He, with his secretary, Hardisty, arrived on
December 27th, and went immediately to Fort Garry. Riel demanded of Mr.
Smith, the object of his visit, but received no satisfaction. On being
asked for his credentials, Mr. Smith replied that he had left them at
Pembina. Being a high Hudson's Bay Company officer, he was quartered in
Government House, Fort Garry. The larger portion of the building was
occupied by Governor McTavish, the smaller or official portion became
the Commissioner's apartments. Here he was able to observe events, meet
a number of the old settlers, and obtain his information at first hand.
On the 15th of January Riel again demanded the Commissioner's papers;
he, indeed, offered to send to Pembina for them, but Mr. Smith declined
the offer. In the meantime the Commissioner had learned that the
Dauphinais Settlement, lying between Pembina and Fort Garry was loyal.
Accordingly, with a guard, Hardisty started to bring the papers. Riel
learned of this,