It was somewhat distressing to the Colonists again in 1813 to make the journey of sixty miles to Pembina, trudging along the prairie trail, but there was no other resource.  The treatment of the Colonists by the “Nor’-Westers” had not thus far been unfriendly and the Canadian traders had even imported a few cattle, pigs, and poultry for the use of the settlers, and for these favors Governor Macdonell expressed his hearty thanks to the Montreal Company.  The fatigues and mishaps of the journey to Pembina were, however, only the beginning of trouble for the winter.  The reception by the French half-breed residents of Pembina was not now so friendly as that of the previous winter.  At first the Nor’-Wester feeling had been one of contempt for the Colonists and pity for them in their hunger and miseries.  The building of Fort Daer was an evidence of occupation that caused the jealous Canadian pioneers to pause.  The reception of the second season was thus decidedly cool.  The struggling settlers found before the winter was over that troubles come in troops.  Very heavy snows fell in the winter of 1813-14.  This brought two difficulties.  It prevented the buffaloes coming freely from the open plains into the rivers and sheltered spots.  The buffalo being a heavy animal is helpless in the snow.  The other difficulty was that the settlers could not go on the chase with freedom.  Unfortunately the Colonists were not able to use the snowshoe as could the lively Metis.  The settlers well nigh perished in seeking the camp whither the native hunters had gone to follow the buffalo.  Indeed the Colonists had the conviction that a plot to murder two of their most active leaders was laid by the French half-breeds whose sympathies were all with the “Nor’-Westers.”

The climax of feeling was reached when Governor Macdonell, who was with the Colonists at Pembina, issued a most unwise proclamation, which to the Nor’-Westers seemed an illegality if not an impertinence.  Dependent as the settlers were on the older Company for supplies and assistance this was nothing less than an act of madness.

By proclamation, on the 8th of January, 1814, Macdonell forbade any traders of “The Honorable Hudson’s Bay Company, the North-West Company, or any individual or unconnected trader whatever to take out any provisions, either of flesh, grain or vegetables, from the country.”  The embargo was complete.

In Governor Macdonell’s defence it should be said that he offered to pay by British bills for all the provisions taken, at customary rates.

This assertion of sovereignty set on fire the Nor’-Westers and their sympathizers.

Not only was this extreme step taken, but John Spencer, a subordinate of Macdonell was sent west to Brandon House, found an entrance into the North-West Fort at the mouth of the Souris River and seizing some twenty-five tons of dry buffalo meat took it into his own fort.

It is quite true that Governor Macdonell expected new bands of Colonists and thus justified himself in his seizure.  It is to the credit of the Nor’-Westers that they restrained themselves and avoided a general conflict, but evidently they only bided their time.