176 ASSIOTIBOINE AND SASKATCHEWAN EXPEDITION. 



sterling from the Hudson's Bay Company*, and calls 

 attention to the notice conspicuously posted by order of 

 the chiefs in various parts of the settlement in 1858, 

 warning the settlers that if they cut hay beyond the two- 

 mile boundary referred to in their treaty with Lord Sel- 

 kirk, their stacks would be destroyed. The letter called 

 forth a strong expression of opinion from a large meeting 

 of half-breeds convened for the purpose on the 7th March, 

 1860, when the following resolutions were adopted; — • 



" 1st. That the Cree chief, Senna, who has the best claim to this country, 

 never disposed of it to the Earl of Selkirk or the Hudson's Bay Company. 



" 2nd. That the Hudson's Bay Company do not, as is alleged, pay 8/. 

 sterling per annum to each of the five chiefs mentioned in Mr. McDermott's 

 letter. 



" 3rd. That the paltry presents given to some or all of these chiefs for 

 many years after 1816, were not given in the way of payment for lands j 

 but merely to keep them friendly towards the Company. The friendship of 

 these chiefs was important, not only because their hostility might have 

 been dangerous, but because they could, by using their influence with their 

 people, bring a large quantity of furs to the Company. 



" 4th. That presents similar to those given after the year 1816, were 

 given for thirty or forty years before that date, for the purpose of " keeping 

 in" with the Indians; and given not only to the chiefs of this district, but 

 to every influential Indian throughout the country. 



" 5th. That as no proper arrangement has been made with the native 

 tribes regarding their lands, the ' half-breeds ' who are now on the soil, 

 and who, besides being natives, are the immediate representatives of these 

 tribes, ought to use every legitimate means to urge their claims to con- 

 sideration in any arrangement which the Imperial Government may see fit 

 to make. 



"With these points agreed upon, it was resolved to adjourn the meeting 

 until the month of May or June, when the various chiefs referred to would 

 be in the settlement, and when certain persons who were now out winter- 

 ing, would also be here to corroborate the above facts." 



It would be altogether premature to discuss the claims 

 presented by different nations and chiefs to the Eed Eiver 



* This statement is not substantiated by the evidence of Sir George 

 Simpson, Blue Book, Question 109. 



