Louis Riel, con't

On March 24, the three delegates left for Ottawa to negotiate the terms of entry into Confederation with the representatives of the Canadian Government. Father Ritchot became the real spokesman for the delegation, as Judge Black and Alfred Scott showed themselves to be relatively ineffective. After relentless questioning and arguing, he was able to convince the government to introduce the Manitoba Bill into the House of Commons. On May 12, 1870, the Manitoba Act, based on the Métis List of Rights, was passed by the Canadian Parliament. One section protected Métis lands and guaranteed their right to religion and to the use of their language in the legislature and the courts. Riel, as head of the Provisional Government, was to maintain peace and order while awaiting the arrival of the first lieutenant-governor, Adams G. Archibald, and Colonel Wolseley's troops, which were accompanying him.

Wolseley's troops arrived before Archibald, and although they were supposed to restore order and keep the peace, a number of the soldiers wanted to seek out Riel and avenge the death of Scott. Warned of their intentions, Riel, Lepine and William O'Donoghue, an Irish American, had time to flee to sanctuary in the United States.

Riel went to the Métis settlement of St. Joseph, in the Dakota Territory, to await news from Red River. A letter arrived shortly thereafter from Bishop Tache which suggested that he remain in hiding, for his life would be in danger if he returned. The situation was serious; disputes between the Métis and Wolseley's men were growing in number. Riel found it difficult to remain far away in hiding, and on September 17, he returned to attend a gathering of the Métis in St. Norbert. At this meeting, it was resolved that a petition be sent to the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, to ask him to intercede with the queen for an investigation of their demand for amnesty. O'Donoghue wanted annexation of the settlement to the United States, but Riel opposed the idea. However, O'Donoghue was selected to carry the petition to the president. On the way, O'Donoghue went to New York where he met with some Irish Fenians who had already made forays into Canada. He managed to convince them to make a raid into Manitoba. When news of this reached Manitoba, Lieutenant-Governor Archibald was very concerned. Would the Métis join in the raid? At this moment Louis Riel intervened. Believing that the Métis future lay with Canada, not with the United States, he assured the lieutenant-governor that the Métis would not join the Fenians and he kept his word.

For want of local support, the Fenian attack died before it had begun. Grateful for the assistance that Riel provided, Archibald was prepared to leave him in peace. However, this feeling was not shared by all and Archibald came to believe that peace would be restored more quickly if Riel left the country for a while. Riel and Lepine were offered $1,000. They reluctantly accepted; left Manitoba on February 23, 1872 and travelled to St. Joseph, bound for St. Paul, Minnesota. Bounty hunters pursued them constantly. Nevertheless, Riel and Lepine were soon homesick. Lepine was the first to return to Red River in May 1872. The following month, Riel made his way to St. Joseph where he began to campaign as a candidate in the federal election for the Manitoba constituency of Provencher. He persisted in this, despite the advice of his friends, but eventually withdrew in favour of George-Etienne Cartier, who had been defeated in his own riding. Riel believed that Cartier would defend the Métis cause. Cartier, however, died a few months later and although Louis was subsequently elected by acclamation, the House would not allow him to take his seat. Frustrated, he returned to the United States where he was plagued by illness. In May 1874, he tried for a second time to take his seat, but once again had to flee. This time he had succeeded in signing the member's register. He returned to St. Paul and then to Keeseville, New York where he lived with Father Fabien Barnabe.

In 1877, the new Prime Minster, Alexander Mackenzie, granted Riel amnesty for the trouble in 1869-1870 on condition that he not return to Canada for five years. Exile was a time of anguish for Louis. He was often depressed and claimed that he had visions of a mission to fulfil. His cries and lamentations so frightened Father Barnabe that he sent for Riel's uncle, John Lee, who took him back to Montreal where he was confined to an asylum in the Province of Quebec, under the name of Louis R. David. Shortly thereafter, he was transferred to the asylum at Beauport where he gradually recovered his health. He was discharged from the asylum in January 1878, with the recommendation that he avoid excitement. From Beauport, Riel returned to Keeseville where he remained for a while. During this time, he fell in love with Evelina Barnabe, Father Barnabe's sister. Less interested in politics now, Riel tried to find work so that he might have something to offer Evelina. Finally, he decided to return to the west. Evelina did not think she would be able to adapt to prairie life and after several months, Riel stopped writing to her and the relationship came to an end.

In the fall of 1878, Riel returned once again to St. Joseph, near Pembina where he was visited by his mother and his friends. Life in Manitoba had changed a great deal. The influx of immigrants was driving the Métis away. Stripped of their land and their way of life, they were moving farther and farther west to settle along the Saskatchewan River at places such as Lac La Biche, Qu'Appelle, Edmonton, Prince Albert, Duck Lake and Batoche.

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