feeling prevailed. French and English shook hands, and for the
first time in many months a spirit of unity between the two classes of
settlers appeared. The elections took place in due time, but in Winnipeg
Mr. Bannatyne, the best citizen of the place, was beaten by Mr. A.H.
Scott, and the greatest annoyance was felt at this by the better
citizens on account of his being an American, and because of the 'New
Nation' continuing to advocate annexation."

On the 25th of January the forty delegates assembled. Much excitement
had been caused at this time among the French by the escape of Dr.
Schultz, their great opponent. Commissioner Smith addressed the
Convention. Riel wished him to accept the original Bill of Rights, but
Mr. Smith refused to do this. A proposal was then brought up by the
French Deputies that the proposal made by the Imperial Government to the
Hudson's Bay Company to take over their lands be null and void. This was
voted down by 22 to 17. Riel rose in rage and said: "The devil take it;
we must win. The vote may go as it likes, but the motion must be
carried." Riel raged like a madman. That night, in his fury, he went to
the bedside of Governor McTavish, sick as he was, and it is said,
threatened to have him shot at once. Dr. Cowan, the master of the fort,
was arrested, and so was Mr. Bannatyne, the chief merchant, as well as
Charles Nolan, a loyal French delegate.

On the 7th of February the delegates again met, and at this meeting
Commissioner Smith, having the power given him by the Dominion
Government, invited the Convention to send delegates to Canada to meet
the Government at Ottawa. Two English delegates, Messrs. Sutherland and
Fraser, not quite sure on this point, visited Governor McTavish for his
advise. "Form a Government, for God's sake," said the Governor, "and
restore peace and order in the Settlement." Being asked, if in such
case, he would delegate his authority to anyone, he hastily replied, "I
am dying, I will not delegate my authority to anyone."

The Convention then proceeded to elect a provisional government. Most of
the officers were English, they being better educated and more prominent
than the French members. But when it came to the election of a
President, to their disgust Riel was chosen. Immediately after this,
Governor McTavish, Dr. Cowan, and Mr. Bannatyne were released as
prisoners, but Commissioner Smith was a virtual prisoner in his quarters
in the fort, though his influenc