by Elizabeth Campbell

I was alerted to a new-to-me website this morning – one that mentions the Red River Colony. So, naturally, I went in to have a look!

Sent a boat with five men to Gibralter to bring down Cameron, Seraphin and Hess, with all the Arms and ammunition at that place- they arrived about 9 O’clock a.m. when Cameron began ardently to solicit for his liberty- really the Hero’s of last spring cut a pitiful appearance.- I was as much ashamed of their meanness in adversity; as shocked at their former arrogance in prosperity- having called in a number of the Colonists and Indians,- I thus addressed the prisoners.-

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.

“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

“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