Now came the Riel Rising.
Five causes may be stated as leading up to it.
1. The weakness of the Government of Assiniboia and the sickness and
helplessness of Governor McTavish, whose duty it was to act.
2. The rebellious character of the Metis, now irritated anew by the
actions of the surveyors.
3. The inexplicable blundering and neglect of the Dominion Government at
Ottawa.
4. A dangerous element in the United States, and especially on the
borders of Minnesota inciting and supporting a disloyal band of
Americans in Pembina and Winnipeg.
5. A cunning plot to keep Governor McTavish from acting as he should
have done, and to incite the Metis under Riel to open revolt.
The drama opened with the appointment of Hon. William McDougall as
Lieutenant-Governor of the Northwest Territories in September, 1869, and
his arrival at Pembina in October. Mr. McDougall was to be appointed
Governor by the Dominion Government as soon as the transfer to Canada of
Rupert's Land could be made. McDougall, on his arrival at the boundary
of Minnesota, was served with a notice by the French half-breeds, not to
enter the Territories.
Meanwhile, Louis Riel, son of the old miller of the Seine, and a true
son of his father--but vain and assertive, having the ambition to be a
Caesar or Napoleon, took the lead.
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