CHAPTER XXV.

History from 1821 to 1870.

Arrival of the Swiss-Settlement of the old Hudson's Bay Company's Servants-Terrible Winter of 1825-Disastrous Flood of 1826-Emigration of the Swiss-Red River Colony Prosperous-Sir George Simpson's Policy-Attempts at Various Industries— Sheep Farming-Cause of Failure-Lord Selkirk's Title to the Land Reverts to the Hudson's Bay Company-Farming Tried on a large Scale-Schools Established— Everything Done to Prevent Successful Farming-Half-breeds Frighten the Company-The Council of Assiniboia Formed-Duty Imposed on Imports and ExportsRegulars Sent into the Colony-People Petition for their Rights-They take the Law into their Own Hands and Trade becomes Free-Red River Flood of 1852-Captain Palliser's Expedition-Expedition under Dawson and Hind—Arrival of Dr. Schultz— The Nor-Wester Established-Hudson's Bay Company's Opposition-The Dominion Established-A Demand made for the North-West Territories-Country Systematically Be-littled-Bishop Taché's Book-He sees no Good in the Country-Purchase of the Territory-Steamboat on Red River-Dr. Schultz Imprisoned-The Power of the Company Broken-Portage la Prairie-Grasshopper Plagues-Canada Takes Steps to Acquire Possession of the Country-Conflicting Interests-Mutterings of the Storm in the Fall of 1869- The Claims of the French Half-breeds-Surveyors Stopped by Louis Riel-Hudson's Bay Company and Roman Catholic Fathers Decline to Interfere -An attempt at Independence-Fort Garry given up to Riel-Governor McTavish's Explanation-His Evident Complicity with the Rebels Almost Admitted-His Childlike Simplicity-O'Donohue Joins the Rebels-He Introduces the Fenian ElementHis Letter to the Canadian Government-Bill of Rights drawn Up-The Movement is seen in its proper Aspect-Canadians Attempt to break Riel's Power-Their Imprisonment-Murder of Scott-Arrival of Bishop Taché-Riel changes from a Wolf to a Lamb-Fenian Flag Pulled Down-Arrival of Colonel Wolseley with his Troops, and Flight of Riel and Lepine-Conclusion.

A NUMBER of poor Swiss were brought to the colony in the fall of 1821, but these being altogether unacquainted with manual labor suffered severely. Before they reached the colony winter had set in and they suffered frightful hardships while on Lake Winnipeg. When they arrived food was very scarce, and in December a move was made to join the hunter's camp beyond Pembina. Being without either horses or dogs they harnessed themselves to the sleds and drew their children and household effects the whole distance. Spring found all at work and a larger

area was planted than ever before. Good crops followed and all had abundance of food.

After the union of the two companies a number of the old servants either left the service or were dismissed. Most of these men had wives and families, and therefore resolved to settle in the country. A survey of the "River Lots had been made in 1822 by a Mr. Kemp, and at this time all lots were reduced to eight chains frontage and extended back 160 chains to the rear, each lot containing 128 acres. Laborers were entitled to one lot each, and other servants according to their standing. By this influx of settlers the colony was more than doubled and the area of the settlements widely extended.

"The Swiss, in 1821, settled among the De Meurons, on the Rivière la Seine, which takes its rise in the forests to the east, and falls into the Red River about a mile below the confluence of the Assiniboine River with the latter. Others of the Swiss had settled on the Red River above the Forks. The refugees from Pembina squatted down near the Swiss: The Scotch occupied what is now divided into the Parishes of St. John and Kildonan. The Protestants arriving in the settlement extended down along the Red River, and occupied the Parishes of St. Paul and St. Andrew" * As time passed the French Half-breeds came in from the Saskatchewan, and settled on the Lower Red River and at White Horse Plains.

The fall of 1825 was ushered in by a cold and wet September, followed in October by heavy snow, which covered the plains to a great depth. In December a terrible snow storm came on, which lasted three days and four nights, and drove the buffalo far to the south. The plain hunters prior to this had been in great distress, owing to the depth of snow and the weakness of their horses. This storm deprived them of food, and they at once commenced to make their way to Pembina. Rumors reached the post

* Gunn's History.

that the hunters were starving, and steps were immediately taken to render assistance. Men were despatched with provisions over the snow covered plains, and many were rescued when at the last extremity. Before assistance could be rendered to all, not less than thirty men, women, and children perished in the snow from hunger and cold.

As soon as the weather turned warm, the river began to rise, and by the 2nd of May, the accumulated waters had overflowed the banks and began to submerge the surrounding country. Before the day closed, the entire district was changed into a huge lake, and most of the settlers had deserted their homes. At the Forks of the Assiniboine and Red River (Fort Garry), the river rose nine feet in twenty-four hours. By the 21st of May, the waters were sixteen feet above high water mark, and the Red River Plain was a vast lake. The flood, after this date, began to subside, and by the middle of the month of June, the waters had left the land, and the inhabitants returned to their desolated homes. In too many instances the sites only remained, as the houses had disappeared in the flood. Scarcely allowing the land to dry, the settlers went to work with a will, and sowed wheat and barley, and planted potatoes, all of which came to maturity, though planted after the 20th of June.

The Swiss and De Meurons, having become disgusted with the country, determined to go to Fort Snelling, in the United States. On the 24th of June, the emigrating party to the number of 243 started on their arduous journey. They reached their destination in safety, and the Swiss settled down on the Upper Mississippi and became prosperous.

The Red River Colony prospered during the next few years, and far more grain was produced than was required in the country. Up to 1832, the Hudson's Bay Company brought in all the goods, but about this time, a few private gentlemen began to bring in goods, which they sold to the