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)

Peguis arrived this morning with his Band consisting of 65 men,- when they doubled point Douglas and were in sight of the Fort, they fired a volley- which we returned by a three pounder- we then hoisted our flag- Peguis immediately returned the compliment by mounting his colours at the end of his Canoe,- and when the whole Squadron came in sight consisting of nearly 150 Canoes, including those of the Women and Children– it had a wild but a grand appearance,- their Bodies painted in various Colours,- their heads decorated some with branches and others with feathers,- and every time we fired the Canon- the woods reechoed with that wild whoop of joy, which they gave to denote the satisfaction they received,- when they came in front of the fort- the Women and Children paddled past the mens Canoes to a spot where they mounted their lodges.-the men accompanied by their Chief, as soon as the families had passed debarked under a volley from my men; they then entered the hall with three hearty Cheers from our people- the room was rather small but they managed to seat themselves in tolerable good order- I then ordered the large peace Callimate to be lighted and after taking two or three Whiffs our of it, I presented it to Peguis who after smoking about a minute passed it to the next in respectability to himself, and in this manner it went round the band- during the ceremony not a single word or even a whisper was heard- [speeches of Robertson and Peguis follow].

-  Colin Robertson’s Journal

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

I thought It would be interesting to follow this week in 1815, as seen through the eyes of Colin Robertson. Robertson took charge of the remaining settlers and the colony after the evacuation to Jack River in June of 1815 until the new Governor, Robert Semple, arrived to take the place of Miles Macdonell.

Robertson’s journal makes for an interesting read. He was a good diarist; his writing is full of detail, personal observations, thoughts and opinions. He writes for his audience unlike other colonist journal keepers, who seem to be writing memory aids for reports.

This was a busy week at the RRS, an I think you will find it a very interesting one!

Sent Patrick Quin with two Carts to Lac Plat for a quantity of Wild Fowl which Baptiste our Hunter has Killed there— Nolin arrived this morning with the Provisions of Peguis’ band consisting of Wild rice, dried meat and a few dried Sturgeon.- Nolin says that the Cheif and his band will be here tomorrow. – he thinks there will be 70 men.– laid aside a few articles intended as presents for them, gave Nolin a copy of the Speech that he is to deliver to the Indians.– The Articles I intend for the Indians are as follows,- 30 Small striped Blankets, 42 Quarts Spirits- 40lbs Gun powder 45 lbs Ball- 45 Flints.- 42 lbs Tobacco,- 10 yards Cloth.-

-Colin Robertson’s Journal

(reference: page 17415 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)

Colin Robertson is at Fort Douglas with those settlers that remained loyal and evacuated to Jack River in June and with the new arrivals from Kildonan. They have worked hard to rebuild the RRS and to save whatever portion of the crops escaped trampling by NWCo. servants in June. It will be another difficult winter for the settlers.

Robertson is well aware that hunger and cold are not the only winter dangers that face the colony in 1815/16:

“I learned this evening that Grant, Pangman and Mountour were endeavouring to stir up their Countrymen but failed in the attempt. Mr. McDonnell [Alexander of the NWCo.] has offered them extravagant Wages to winter with him at Que’Appelle. Oh! that I had a clever fellow to oppose him there! I will take care of [Duncan] Cameron at this place.”  – Colin Robertson’s Journal

These efforts to ‘stir up’ resulted in the Massacre of Seven Oaks in June of 1816, under the leadership of Cuthbert Grant, most likely under the direction of Alexander Macdonell and other NWCo. officials.

(reference: pages 17400 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)

“…the Colonial and Cumberland House boat arrived the only intelligence of the Canadian Expedition is from the N. W. Co. as they passed the Grand Rapid Portage. They say that Lord Selkirk has gone to Red River by Faun du Lac and that Dr. Chatland has passed Fort William with four Canoes…” – Colin Robertson Journal

(references: page 7621 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)

“This morning about 9 o’Clock a.m Mr. McLeod left here in a boat with eight men for Jack River; he Mr. D. Cameron of the N. W. under his charge- A Canoe with seven Canadians accompanied the Boat for the purpose of taking Cameron from Jack River to York.”  – Colin Robertson Journal

At long last the poison is drawn from the RRS. Cameron’s tactics caused more damage to the fledgling colony than any other individual. His propoganda and manipulation of the settlers resulted in the desertion of over 140 settlers and HBCo. company servants, disciplinary problems, and disharmony, not to mention ill feeling that grew (and can still be found) between the Settlers and the French Canadian Metis.

(reference: p. 17527 of the Selkirk Papers, M187, Manitoba Archives)

“Ordered all the freemen and Indians that were encamped round the Fort to remove to the opposite side of the River for on the eve of our being attacked these lodges would shelter the Enemy, and in returning the fire accidents might happen to the natives which I wish to avoid.”  – Colin Robertson Journal

Anticipating trouble, Robertson acts responsibly to minimise danger and casualties.

(reference: p. 17526 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)

“A number of the freemen arrived this evening – I waited on Governor Semple this evening I proposed to him that Cameron should be removed to Fort Douglas, as he would be out of the way of these people as well as the Indians- the Governor did not seem to relish this- I wish to God I could get clear of the business- I cannot act as I wish, I would therefore prefer not to act at all.”  – Colin Robertson Journal

Duncan Cameron was the North West Company official at Red River whose scheming, acting skills, and fabrications coerced the majority of the settlers into moving to Canada in June of 1815. His insinuations and outright lies created a great deal of strife within the colony prior to that, and he was a constant thorn in the flesh of HBC and RRS operations. Robertson recognised the danger of leaving a con-man like Cameron with ready access to people he could incite to attack the settlers. It is difficult to say whether his removal to Fort Douglas, where HBC and RRS officials could control who had direct access to Cameron, would have had enough of a positive effect to avoid the Massacre of Seven Oaks or not.

(reference: pages 17518 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)

(reference: pages 17518 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)