the papers.  Riel learned of this, and taking a body guard with him, went to the Dauphinais house, intending to seize the credentials.  Hardisty arrived with his precious documents.  Meanwhile, the Loyalists had made Riel’s men prisoners, and when Riel attempted to interfere, Pierre Laveiller, a loyal French half-breed, put his loaded pistol to the Dictator’s head, and threatened his life.  Sixty or seventy of the Loyalists escorted Hardisty and his papers to Mr. Smith in Fort Garry.

[Illustration:  Train of Huskie Dogs, Fort Garry, north gate (Governor’s entrance still standing), Toboggan with Hudson Bay trader in fort Garry Park, Winnipeg Permission Steele & Co., Winnipeg]

Now in possession of his documents, the Commissioner called a general meeting of the people for January 19th, and one thousand men appeared on that day in the Court Yard of the Fort.  As there was no building in which they could assemble, the meeting was held in the open air, with the temperature 20 deg. below zero.  The people stood for hours and listened to the proceedings.  Commissioner Smith then read the letter of his appointment, and also a letter from the Governor-General, which announced to the people that the Imperial Government would see that “perfect good faith would be kept with the inhabitants of the Red River and the Northwest.”  The Commissioner then demanded that Vicar Thibault’s commission, which Riel had seized should be read.  Riel refused it, but Mr. Smith stood firm.  At length the Queen’s message to the people was proclaimed.  One John Burke then demanded that the prisoners be released and a promise was given.  On the second day the people again assembled, and Mr. Smith then read authoritative letters, one from the Governor-General to Governor McTavish, and another to Mr. McDougall.  It was then moved by Riel, seconded by Mr. Bannatyre, and carried unanimously, that twenty representatives should be elected by the English Parishes and twenty by the French, and that these should meet on January 25th to consider the subjects of Commissioner Smith’s communications, and decide what was best for the welfare of the country.  Speeches were made by the Bishop of Rupert’s Land, and Father Richot and Riel closed the meeting by saying:  “I came here with fear ... we are not enemies—­but we came very near being so.... we all have rights.  We claim no half rights, mind you, but all the rights we are entitled to.”

Begg, an eye-witness, says:  “Immediately after the meeting the utmost good feeling prevailed.  French and English shook hands, and for the first time in many months a spirit of unity between the two classes of settlers appeared.  The elections took place in due time, but in Winnipeg Mr. Bannatyne, the best citizen of the place, was beaten by Mr. A.H.  Scott, and the greatest annoyance was felt at this by the better citizens on account of his being an American, and because of the ’New Nation’ continuing to advocate annexation.”