He was a man of rather aggressive and combative disposition. The
writer met him in London long after he had retired--and this was some
thirty years ago, and though the judge was then upwards of three score
and ten, he was yet a man of force and decision. A graduate of Aberdeen
University, Adam Thom had come to Montreal as a lawyer, and was for a
time on Lord Durham's staff. He had taken high ground against Papineau's
rebellion, and was known as one of the strongest newspaper
controversialists of the time. He was a determined opponent of the
French-Canadian rebellion, as he was of rebellion in any form whatever.
Evidently, Governor Simpson chose a man "after his own heart" for the
difficult task, of introducing law and order among the turbulent
Nor'-Westers.
The arrival of the new Judge in the Red River Settlement gave rise to
much comment. The spirit of discontent had strengthened, as we have seen
among the Colonists and English-speaking half-breeds. The Hudson's Bay
Company had now re-bought the land of Assiniboia from Lord Selkirk's
heirs. Hitherto it was difficult to find out precisely who their
oppressor was. Now, though Governor Simpson sought by diplomacy to evade
the responsibility, yet the explanation given by the Colonists of the
arrival of Recorder Thom, was that he had come to uphold the Company's
pretensions and to restrict their liberties.
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