“Elevated by the Grace of Providence and the suffrages of my fellow-citizens to the highest position in the Government of my country, I proclaim that peace reigns in our midst this day.  The Government will take every precaution to prevent this peace from being disturbed.

“While internally all is thus returning to order, externally, also, matters are looking favourable.  Canada invites the Red River people to an amicable arrangement.  She offers to guarantee us our rights, and to give us a place in the Confederation equal to that of any other Province.

“Identified with the Provisional Government, our national will, based upon justice, shall be respected.

“Happy country, to have escaped many misfortunes that were prepared for her!  In seeing her children on the point of a war, she recollects the old friendship which used to bind them, and by the ties of the same patriotism she has re-united them again for the sake of preserving their lives, their liberties, and their happiness.

“Let us remain united and we shall be happy.  With strength of unity we shall retain prosperity.

“O, my fellow-countrymen, without distinction of language, or without distinction of creed—­keep my words in your hearts!  If ever the time should unhappily come when another division should take place amongst us, such as foreigners heretofore sought to create, that will be the signal for all the disasters which we have had the happiness to avoid.

“In order to prevent similar calamities, the Government will treat with all the severity of the law those who will dare again to compromise the public security.  It is ready to act against the disorder of parties as well as against that of individuals.  But let us hope rather that extreme measures will be unknown and that the lessons of the past will guide us in the future.

“LOUIS RIEL.

“Government House,

“Fort Garry, April 9th, 1870.”]

[2 Footnote:  This document claimed:—­

“1st.  The right to elect our own Legislature.

“2.  The Legislature to have power to pass all laws, local to the Territory, over the veto of the Executive, by a two-thirds vote.

“3.  No Act of the Dominion Parliament (local to this Territory) to be binding on the people until sanctioned by their representatives.

“4.  All sheriffs, magistrates, constables, &c., &c., to be elected by the people—­a free homestead pre-emption law.

“5.  A portion of the public lands to be appropriated to the benefit of schools, the building of roads, bridges, and parish buildings.

“6.  A guarantee to connect Winnipeg by rail with the nearest line of railroad—­the land grant for such road or roads to be subject to the Legislature of the Territory.

“7.  For four years the public expenses of the Territory, civil, military and municipal, to be paid out of the Dominion Treasury.