172 



RED RIVER EXPLORING EXPEDITION. 



CHAP. VIII. 



BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COLONY. STATISTICS OF POPULA- 

 TION. ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. TRADE AND OCCU- 

 PATIONS. 



Lord Selkirk. — First Emigrants. — Difficulties of the Emigrants. — The De 

 Meurons. — Mr. West. — First Missionary. — The Census. — European and 

 Native Population. — Statistical Table. — Population by Families. — "Na- 

 tives." — Character of the Half-breeds. — Occupations. — Improvidence of 

 the Half-breeds. — Aids to Improvement. — Administration of Justice. — 

 Governor and Council. — Quarterly Courts. — Council of Assinniboia. — 

 Trade and Occupations. — Absence of Trades. — Mills. — Merchants. — 

 Freighters. — Land. — Leases. — Unoccupied Area fit for Settlement. 



The first attempt to found a colony in the country now 

 occupied by the Bed Eiver settlements was made in the 

 year 1812, under the patronage of Lord Selkirk. A large 

 tract of country, extending from the sources of the Win- 

 nipeg to Lake Winnipego-sis* 5 and stretching from Lake 

 Winnipeg far beyond the United States boundary, was 

 purchased from the Hudson Bay Company by Lord Sel- 

 kirk in 1811, for the establishment of his contemplated 

 colony. The colonists consisted of several Scotch fami- 

 lies, who, after they had reached the spot which was to 

 be their future home, were met by a large party of half- 

 breeds and Indians in the service of the North- West 

 Company, and warned not to attempt to establish a per- 

 manent settlement. They were conducted by a number 



* u Winnipego-sis/' Little Winnipeg. The affix "sis " signifies in Cree 

 " little." 



