THE RED RIVER EXPEDITION. 235 



should for the present be allowed to pass into Lake 

 Superior. 



This obstructive policy on the part of the Minis- 

 ters at Washington did not, however, prevent the 

 existence of very cordial relations between the local 

 government authorities on both sides. We always 

 felt that as a last resource we could buy or hire 

 steamers belonging to United States citizens on Lake 

 Superior for use there. 



It was said that Eiel, or at least some of his gang, 

 had been coquetting with the American authorities 

 upon the subject of annexation, and the press through- 

 out the Western States of America openly declared a 

 desire to hinder the British troops from getting to 

 Fort Garry. 



As it was thought that the single steamer which, 

 as already described, we had succeeded in placing 

 upon Lake Superior might not be sufficient for our 

 own requirements, an American propeller was hired 

 at Sarnia, and sent up empty to Lake Superior 

 through the canal, her master swearing to the 

 United States authorities at the Sault that he had 

 not been hired by the Canadian Government, and 

 that he had nothing whatever to do with the Red 

 Eiver Expedition. This declaration was entirely 

 spontaneous on his part, and not the result of any 

 instructions received from us. When he had passed 

 through the canal, and was seen to steer over and 

 anchor near our shore, the canal officials realised how 



