4 May 1816
by Elizabeth Campbell“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)
Tags: Colin Robertson, Colin Robertson's Journal, Duncan Cameron, HBC & NWC relations, Massacre of Seven Oaks, RRS Politics
