He appointed, backed by all the influence of the Hudson’s Bay Company, a retired officer, Captain Robert Semple.  The new Governor was of American origin, born in Philadelphia, but had been in the British army.  He was a distinctly high-class man, though Masson’s estimate is probably true—­“A man not very conciliatory, it is true, but intelligent, honorable and a man of integrity.”  He was an author of some note, but as it proved, too good or too inexperienced a man for the lawless region to which he was sent.

It would have been almost useless to despatch a new Governor to the Red River settlement unless there had also been obtained a number of settlers to fill the place of those so skillfully led away by Duncan Cameron.  Lord Selkirk now secured the best band of Emigrants attainable.  These were from a rural parish on the East Coast of Sutherlandshire in Scotland.  They were from Helmsdale and from the parish of Kildonan and the noble founder afterwards conferred this name on their new parish on the banks of the Red River.  The names of Matheson, Bannerman, Sutherland, Polson, Gunn and the like show the sturdy character of this band whose descendents are taking their full part in the affairs of the Province of Manitoba of to-day.  Governor Semple accompanied this party of about one hundred settlers, and by way of the Hudson Bay route reached the Red River Settlement in the same year in which they started.  They joined the restored settlers, whom Colin Robertson had placed upon their lands again.  With Governor Semple’s contingent came James Sutherland, an elder of the Church of Scotland, who was authorized to baptize and marry.  He was the first ordained man who reached the Selkirk Colony.  The influx of new and old settlers to the Colony, and the imperfect preparations made for their shelter and sustenance led to the whole Company betaking itself for the winter to Pembina, where at Fort Daer they might be within reach of the buffalo herds.  Governor Semple accompanied the settlers to Pembina, though Alexander Macdonell had charge for the winter.  In October of 1815, as the settlers were preparing for their winter quarters, the authorities of the Colony thought it right to seize Fort Gibraltar, and to retake the field pieces and other property of the Colony, which the “Nor’-Westers” had captured.  This was done and Duncan Cameron who had returned was also taken prisoner.  Cameron, on his promising to keep the peace was almost immediately restored to his liberty and to the command of his fort.  The feeling, however, all over the country where there were rival Forts was not a happy one and gave anxiety to both parties as to the future.  After New Year, 1816, Governor Semple returned from Pembina and counselled with Colin Robertson, as to the disturbed state of things.  They came to the conclusion that the only safe course was to again capture Fort Gibraltar.  This they did about April, 1816, and again held Cameron as a prisoner.  Duncan Cameron was however a dangerous