Dominion of Canada

Classified Document

1869

To the students in their eighth year of elementary,

of Professor K. Harvey,

at the common school of Humber Valley Village, in the town of Toronto,

in the Province of Ontario, in the Dominion of Canada

A request has been madeby the

Right HonourableSir John Alexander

MacdonaldPrime Minister

of theDominion of Canada

To provide a servicefor

your countryand

your Queen

If you succeedyou will be rewarded

handsomelyand your countrywill be forever

in your debt

If you failthe future

of our newly formedand

glorious countrywill be in jeopardy

Dominion of Canada

Message from the office of the

Prime Minister

Ottawa, 1869,“It is my pleasure to be writing this message to the intelligent young gentlemen, and of course young ladies, of HVV. I have read about the fine work that you have displayed, and from the reports submitted by your most gracious and remarkable professor, I feel that you young people are the only ones I can turn to.

“We have just recently purchasedRupert’s Land from the Hudson’sBay Company for 300 000 pounds. I do not need to tell you the importance of this sale as youhave already examined it in your debates. Hudson’s Bay Company withdrew their rule in January and the whole region is to be transferred to our Dominion on December 1st of this year.

“I appointed William McDougall to be the lieutenant-governor for these North-West Territories and Canadian surveyors have been sent to survey the land for the great amount of settlers weanticipate will settle these vast lands.Most land was empty save for the 12 000 settlers living at the Red River Settlement around Fort Garry and the Indians scattered sparsely throughout the land.

“But a problem has arisen that could jeopardize the smooth transition of the control of the territories and quite possibly and most worrisome, jeopardize the very union of the Dominion which many (myself included) have worked so hard - a problem I like to call…

The Trouble

atRed River

“I have included work papers in the package that you have just received.

I ask that some good kindly gentleman, or lady, please distribute one to each of you in your room.

“You will record all important information that I will now be relaying to you. Do not be idle ... time is a precious commodity that we cannot afford to waste.Be certain to make good note of this problem.

“I have mentioned that I had appointed McDougall as the lieutenant-governor of the soon to be acquired land. I sent him to the colony to set up a Canadian government for the territory. He had to travel through the United States because there is no road nor railroad joining Ontario and the North-West Territories.

“When he arrived at the border of the Red River Settlement (October 21), McDougall found the road leading to the Fort blocked by a group of armed half-breeds known as Métis.

They gave him a written letter in French that told him that the Métis would not have any governor without being consulted first and fearing for his safety, McDougall returned back to the U.S.

“On top of this abomination, I learned that the government surveyors sent out to survey the land were stopped by these Métis. The surveyors were not allowed to continue with their work and were threatened with harm if they did! Instead of accepting the legitimate government from our Dominion (to be set up by McDougall) these Métis have set up their OWN government, a Provisional Government. I have included a photograph of the people who make up this provisional government.

“But the seriousness of this situation peaked when I learnedthat, under the leadership of Louis Riel (right), this government sent 120 armedMétis into Fort Garry and took control on November 2. This fort contains large suppliesof food and ammunition. From this strategic position, they can control the colony. This, my dear friends, can only mean one thing - TREASON! And treason is punishable by DEATH!

“However, I feel that I have become soft in my old age. I do wish to solve this trouble peacefully before our Dominion takes control of the region on December 1st. Yet TRAITORS to the Queen and country must be dealt with severely.

“This is my dilemma: Do I seek a peaceful solution through negotiation, or do I use force?This is where I need your help!

Dominion of Canada

Classified Document

Your Mission1869

I need each and everyone of you fine young people to act as Special Agents for the Dominion of Canada. You are to infiltrate the Red River Settlement to gather vital information so that I can make the best decision in the interest of our country.

You are to get information about:

THE EVENTS1. What really happened with

- McDougall; - the surveyors; - the taking of Fort

Garry?

2. What demands does the Provisional Government make?

3. Why did this ‘trouble’ happen?

THE PEOPLE1. Who are the peoples of the

west?

2. Who are the Métis? - find out more about

their culture

3. Who is Louis Riel?

THE SOLUTION1. Based on your research, what should

be the response of the Canadian

government?- Negotiate a peaceful

settlement? How? - Use force? How?

2. Give good reasons for your recommendation.

THE WRITTEN REPORT1. You will present all this information in a

creative written report.

2. Use your knowledge of writing research reportsand expository paragraphs to produce a report that is accurate and informative.

3. Be creative with your Top Secret Report!

“I anxiously await your final recommendation. I thank you in advance for your work. I ask that you take this matter seriously.

The fate of this young nation rests in your hands.”

Sincerely,John A. Macdonald