38 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



as the Act states — the proprietary system of the Hudson's Bay 

 Company, but it must be held to have foreshadowed, even if it did not 

 in itself effect, the transformation of the Dominion from a Confedera- 

 tion of equals to a veritable empire entrusted with the administration 

 of subordinate territory under the Crown "as a part of the British 

 colonial system." 



That transformation indeed was assumed — too hastily it would 

 seem — during the unfortunate troubles which attended the transfer 

 in 1869-70. The federal Act for the Temporary Government of Rupert's 

 Land and the North-Western Territory when united with Canada (32-33 

 Vic, c. 3) and the Manitoba Act of the following year were both 

 passed upon that assumption; and it was deemed necessary, as 

 already pointed out, to pass the Imperial B.N. A. Act of 1871 drafted 

 at Ottawa for the specific purpose of validating (as the Act states) 

 "for all purposes whatsoever," the irregularities committed under 

 both measures by the Government of the Dominion. 



With the B.N. A. Act of 1871, at any rate, it becomes possible 

 to speak of "colonial pol,icy" for the Dominion. As a matter of fact, 

 the first exercise of that policy had already been thwarted by an 

 inglorious insurrection at the Red River Settlement. 



II. The Conciliar Period, 1870-1888 



British government by Governor and Council began in Quebec 

 after 1763 under very favourable auspices by comparison with those 

 under which Canadian government was introduced into Rupert's 

 Land and the North-West more than a century later. The Act for 

 the Temporary Government of Rupert's Land and the North-Western 

 Territory when united with Canada was passed in 1869 in anticipation 

 of the transfer. It provided for administration by Lieutenant- 

 Governor and Council "not exceeding fifteen nor less than seven 

 persons." The Lieutenant-Governor elect was the Hon. William 

 McDougall; and the whole French Roman Catholic community at 

 Red River felt justified in regarding the prospect of such a govern- 

 ment with undisguised uneasiness. 



The Riel Insurrection which followed was technically an in- 

 surrection against the Hudson's Bay Company, since the transfer had 

 not yet taken place. In fact it was directed against the prospect of 

 conciliar government by the Dominion of Canada. French clerical 

 interests had "always feared the entrance of the North-West into 

 Confederation because . . . the French Catholic element would 

 be sacrificed." * Th ey now sought — and the French Métis by open 

 "^Vie de Mgr. Taché, Dom. Benoit, vol. ii, p. 7. 



