Federal Relations of the North-West. 449 



that this sympathy was powerfully reflected in the Dominion 

 Cabinet, although there is no evidence that Mr. Howe was influenced 

 by it, as suggested by Mr. McDougall. As for Mr. McDougall himself, 

 he was profoundly disgusted with the aspect of affairs. All thoughts 

 of his return to the North-West were abandoned, and he soon 

 afterwards received from the Premier of Ontario the appointment of 

 Government Trustee of Canada Southern Railway Municipal Bonds , 

 in addition to that of a Commissioner to ascertain the western and 

 northern boundaries of that Province." 



Meanwhile acts of rebellion were constantly perpetrated in the 

 North- West. Riel became an absolute dictator ; he confiscated public 

 and private property, and filled Fort Garry with loyal Canadians as 

 prisoners of war. Dr. Schultz, one of the latter, effected his escape 

 and succeeded in reaching Ontario ; but not until after raising a 

 considerable force in the territory did he effect the release of his com- 

 panions. A Peace Commission, consisting of Vicar-General Thibault, 

 Colonel De Salaberry and Donald A. Smith, then Chief Commis- 

 sioner of the Hudson's Bay Company at Montreal, was sent up to 

 enquire into the cause of the insurrection and to explain to the 

 inhabitants of the country the intentions of the Canadian Govern- 

 ment. They did little or nothing in the way of restoring order ; 

 but Mr. Smith's protestations is said to have been a considerable 

 check upon the recklessness of Riel, but not sufficient, however, to 

 prevent the shooting of Scott, which aroused public opinion in 

 Ontario to the necessity of putting down the rebellion at any cost 

 and without delay. 



Bishop Tache, who had been on an ecclesiastical mission to 

 Rome, was persuaded by the Dominion Government to hasten to 

 his home in the North-West, and while on the way he received 

 instructions at Ottawa to assure the insurgents of the good-will of 

 the Government and to offer them an amnesty for all past offences. 

 This was before the death of Scott. He proceeded at once to Fort 

 Garry; but five days before his arrival that awful deed was com- 

 mitted. The good bishop was greatly shocked at what had happened ; 

 but he did not consider his instructions regarding the amnesty as 

 affected thereby. As a consequence his negotiations with Riel's 



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