THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION. 213 



settler grew enough corn for his own consumption. 

 The consequence was, that not more than a few acres 

 of each farm, as has been already stated, was ever 

 cultivated or fenced in, the remainder of the 100 acres 

 being allowed to remain in its primeval condition. 



A few restless spirits, such as are ever to be found 

 in all countries, saw in the state of affairs which 

 we have endeavoured to describe an opportunity for 

 action. They went round in the autumn of 1869 

 amongst the French-speaking portion of the com- 

 munity, preaching resistance to the Canadian Govern- 

 ment. Every feeling that stirs mankind was appealed 

 to. They were called upon to be men, and by their 

 courage to save themselves from having their lands 

 taken from them and distributed amongst others, and 

 their altars from being desecrated. They were told 

 over and over again that Canada intended to destroy 

 their religion, and, to overrun their country with a 

 heretical population, who would ignore their rights. 

 Their priesthood encouraged this feeling, and aided 

 the movement. 



At the head of this rising was a man named Louis 

 Riel. He was born of French Canadian parents, 

 who had emigrated to the Red River ; and although 

 he had not a drop of Indian blood in his veins, he 

 had a large number of half-breed relations and con- 

 nections ; and in order to identify himself as much 

 as possible with the people, he invariably spoke of 

 himself as a half-breed. He had been educated at 



VOL. I. p 



