FIVE FORTS OF WINNIPEG. 141 



to rebuild their destroyed dwellings, and looked forward with hope. The Governor's 

 dwelling was strengthened, other buildings erected beside it, and, more necessity being 

 now seen for defence, it assumed a more military aspect, and took the name Fort Douglas. 



The blood of the members of both fur companies was now up. Cameron had returned 

 in the summer of 1815 from the disposal of the deserting colonists, and from the meeting 

 of the partners at Fort William, to await developments, and check new movements of 

 the colonists. Alexander Macdonell, the Nor'-Wester, had returned and gone west to 

 Qu'Appelle. In October, 1815, Cameron was seized along with Fort Gibraltar, and two 

 of the river field-pieces recaptured. The matter was, however, settled and the fort 

 restored to Cameron, who had been liberated. The further anxiety of Lord Selkirk for his 

 colonists may be seen in the appointment of an experienced and capable military officer, 

 Eobert Semple, as Governor of Assiniboia. Governor Semple arrived at Red River in 

 the autumn of 1815, alas, to make his grave on its banks. His arrival and presence gave 

 much confidence to the settlers, and he was ably assisted by his lieutenant, Colin Robert- 

 son. Ofiicials and settlers, as usual, spent the winter at Fort Daer. 



The presence of the two daring Nor'-Westers in the country, Cameron and Macdonell, 

 was reason enough for believing that there would be renewed trouble. All through 

 winter threateniugs of violence filled the air. The Bois-brûlés, or half-breeds, were arro- 

 gant, and led by Cuthbert Grant, a lad of little more than twenty, looked upon them- 

 selves as the "new nation." Returning after the New Year of 1816, from Fort Daer, 

 Governor Semple saw the necessity for aggressive action. Fort Gibraltar was to become 

 the rendezvous for a Bois-brûlé force of extermination from Qu'Appelle, Fort des Prairies 

 (Portage La Prairie), and even from the Saskatchewan. To prevent this. Governor Semple 

 captured the fort, and took Cameron into custody. This event took place, according to 

 some, in March, according to others, in April, 181G. It is supposed that the Governor kept 

 it as property taken in war, for, except on this ground, it is difficult to see how his action 

 could have been justified. 



Still in possession of Gibraltar, it was deemed wise to bestow Cameron, in a safer 

 place. He was accordingly despatched as a prisoner under the care of Colin Robertson to 

 Jack River House, on his way to Hudson Bay. By the failure of the ship to leave Hudson 

 Bay, Cameron remained seventeen months a prisoner before he reached England, where 

 he was released immediately on his arrival. He afterward returned to Canada, and repre- 

 sented the County of Glengarry for some time, probably between the years 1820 and 1830, 

 in the Canadian parliament. No sooner had Cameron been taken away than there 

 followed the destruction of Fort Gibraltar. Retaliation, the purpose of destroying what 

 might give shelter to the attacking force, and perhaps the desire of profit, were the reasons 

 for the destruction of Fort Gibralter. Colin Robertson, it is said, was determinedly 

 opposed to the demolition. He is said to have seriously differed with Governor Semple on 

 the subject. On the next day aftin- Robertson's departure with Cameron, its fate was 

 decided, and the buildings were pulled down in end of May, 1811). A force of some thirty 

 men was employed ; and expecting, as they did, a body from the west to attack them, the 

 work was all accomplished in seven or eight days. The materials were taken apart : the 

 stockade was made into a raft, the remainder was piled upon it, and all was floated down 

 Red River to the site of Fort Douglas. The material was then used for strengthening the 

 fort, and building new houses in it. Thus ended Fort Gibraltar. A considerable establish- 



