The working dogs of Red River pulled another type of vehicle in the winter, too – the carriole. The carriole was a miniature version of the vehicle of the same name used with horses, and as such was more decorative in appearance than the usual toboggan-like dog sledge.

Gentleman Travelling in a Dog Carriole by Peter Rindisbacher 1825 - Library and Archives Canada, Acc. No. R9266-1052.2 Peter Winkworth Collection of Canadiana

Oddly enough, the few mentions of the dog carriole in the journals indicate that they played a political role at the RRS. The principle settler, a gentleman named Alexander McLean, his wife and family, were being wooed by the NWCo. officials, who believed that if they could coerce the McLeans into abandoning the RRS, the rest of the settlers would surely follow. Mrs. McLean, Miles Macdonell observed, was sometimes taken out in Alexander Macdonell’s (of the NWCo.) dog carriole as part of this campaign.

In an effort “to detach them from the constant intercourse they have with the N. W. Fort,” Miles Macdonell began entertaining the McLeans in earnest, inviting them for meals, tea, entertainments and, yes, making sure that Mrs. McLean was taken out in a carriole by either himself or Archibald McDonald! His efforts were rewarded as the McLean family remained with the RRS until after the Massacre of Seven Oaks, in which Alexander McLean was killed. Mrs. McLean and five of her children returned to Scotland in 1817.

The dog carriole, like the dog sled, remained in use into Hargrave’s time. He mentions that:

Early in 1866 the Bishop of Rupert’s Land [the Right Rev. Dr. Robert Machray] set out on his first visitation. Travelling westwards his Lordship touched at Portage La Prairie, Westbourne, and Fairford, thence by the Pas he reached Cumberland and the Nepowewin, returning home by Touchwood Hills and Qu’Appelle Lake. The journey was performed in a dog carriole, and occupied seven weeks.

(reference: pages 16779, 16784, 16802, 16936, 18252, 18255 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives; Hudson’s Bay Company Archives C.1/785; Hargrave, p. 159)

This morning when I was sitting at breakfast planning in my mind how I should take posession of Gibralter- my servant informed me that Messrs. McLean and Bourke were bringing Cameron and Seraphin prisoners to the Fort- I was rather surprised when I found this to be the case- which placed me in a very critical situation – as I was afraid the alarm was given at Gibralter- Cameron immediately began with his usual phrases of British liberty and free born Englishmen he then asked me, what I intended to do with him- I answered that he must in the first place deliver up all the arms he had belonging to the Colony- before I could hear any proposition regarding his liberty- to this he agreed- when I ordered twelve men under the command of Mr. McLean to take Mr. Seraphin to Gibralter, and there receive all the Arms belonging to the Colony, – but I gave Mr. McLean secret instructions- that the moment the gates were opened to take posession of Gibralter and hold the same until I gave him further orders- this he accomplished in a masterly manner- as soon as the Indians learned what was going on- they took up arms and came to our assistance.- another proof of the attachment of these Indians to the Colony, is that a number were present at the seizure of Cameron- and altho’ that person was nearly an hour a prisoner at Fort Douglas- Hess who was in charge of Gibralter was a perfect stranger to what had happened, until Mr. McLean informed him after the seizing of the Fort, I then sent over Cameron with an escort to Gibralter where he is to be prisoner all night.- I have ordered Messrs. McLean and Bourke to pay every attention to the prisoners- and respect to be paid to private property.- I mean to give Cameron his liberty tomorrow as I have not the means to send him off another thing I am not inclined to carry things too far untill I hear from York,- I shall lower his consequence a little- this is necessary for the safety of the Colony- he shall send an Express immediately of to Qu’Appell to put a stop to hostilities there, – I will remove all the Arms in his Fort to this place, until tranquility is established in that quarter.- these are points I will insist upon.

-  Colin Robertson’s Journal

(reference: pages 1722-4 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)

An Express arrived this evening from Qu’Appelle with accounts that Mr. McDonnell had attacked our provision post there with the intent of driving McKay from that quarter- called a Council of my Officers consisting of Mess’rs McLean Stett and Bourke, and told them that I intended to strike a blow at Gibralter, and to prepare themselves for the event, I then shewed them McKays letter- these Gentlemen informed me that I had only to command them- Nothing can be done to-night, the Indians are all intoxicated- I have only twenty men here- but if I allow McDonnell a footing- my men will get dispirited- and our new friends will abandon us- my situation is very ackward.-

-  Colin Robertson’s Journal

(reference: page 17422 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)

“[W]hen at Mr. Christies, I was much amused in perceiving a file of the Inverness Journal of 1812; where I find Mr. Simon McGillivray writing for his associates the North West Company under the signature of the Highlander, her is answered by Messrs. [Rev. Charles] Burke and McLean, the former wrote with pith and elegance, I wish he had been better acquainted with his opponents…”  – Colin Robertson Journal

Here is testament to more of the propaganda used by the N.W.Co. to crush the success of the Red River Settlement, this time directed at settler recruitment efforts in Scotland. The anonymous ‘Highlander’, identified here as on of the senior partners of the N.W.Co., wrote at length of the hardships of living in and the unsuitable nature of the soil and climate of the Assiniboian region in which the colony was proposed. ‘Highlander’ came across as a kindly advisor, one who regretted dashing the hopes of would be settlers, but who truly had the emigrants’ best interests at heart. Robertson’s commentary makes for interesting and insightful reading.

Copies of Highlander’s articles may be found in Vol. 1 of the Selkirk Papers.

(reference: page 17733 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)