In 1844 two
proclamations were issued, that before the Company would carry goods for
any settler, a declaration from such settler, and the examination of his
correspondence in regard to his dealing in furs would first be
necessary. The native people determined to oppose them. They claimed as
having Indian blood, that they were entitled to aboriginal rights.
Twenty leading English-speaking half-breeds, among them such respectable
names as Sinclair, Dease, Vincent, Bird and Garrioch, demanded from
Governor Christie a definite answer as to their position and rights. The
Governor answered with sweet words, but the policy of "thorough" was
steadily pushed forward, and a new land deed was devised by which the
land would be forfeited should the settlers interfere in the fur trade.
Next, heavy freights were put on goods going to England by way of Hudson
Bay, and Sinclair, as an agitator, was refused the privilege of having
his freight carried at any price. The spirits of the English-speaking
half-breeds were raised to a pitch of discontent, quite equal to that of
the French half-breeds, although the latter were more noisy and
demonstrative. James Sinclair became the "village Hampden" who stood for
his rights and those of his compeers.
Pages:
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205