By proclamation, on the 8th of January, 1814, Macdonell forbade any
traders of "The Honorable Hudson's Bay Company, the North-West Company,
or any individual or unconnected trader whatever to take out any
provisions, either of flesh, grain or vegetables, from the country."
The embargo was complete.
In Governor Macdonell's defence it should be said that he offered to pay
by British bills for all the provisions taken, at customary rates.
This assertion of sovereignty set on fire the Nor'-Westers and their
sympathizers.
Not only was this extreme step taken, but John Spencer, a subordinate of
Macdonell was sent west to Brandon House, found an entrance into the
North-West Fort at the mouth of the Souris River and seizing some
twenty-five tons of dry buffalo meat took it into his own fort.
It is quite true that Governor Macdonell expected new bands of Colonists
and thus justified himself in his seizure. It is to the credit of the
Nor'-Westers that they restrained themselves and avoided a general
conflict, but evidently they only bided their time.
No breach of the peace occurred however, before the return of the
Colonists from Pembina to the Colony Houses.
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