Today in History – 16 October 1815
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.-
“Gentlemen the cruelty with which you exercised the power that intrigue and force placed in your hands last spring deserves greater punishment than I am willing ro inflict, I gave you to understand on my arrival in this country that I was prepared either for Peace or War- you seem from your conduct at Qu’Appell to have preferred the latter, which has placed you in your present situation,- but to see what effect a generous action will have on you- you shall be released and put in possession of your Fort on the following mild conditions.- 1st That an Express be sent of to Qu’Appell to put a stop to the violent measures of your Mr. McDonnell- 2ly That you will not either directly orindirectly attempt to seduce any Emigrants that the Earl of Selkirk has, or will in future send to this country.- these points being agreed to, I took Cameron back and placed him in his post- when I took my leave of them I observed “Gentlemen you know me of old! should you fail in any of the points you have agreed to, rest assured that I will always have it in my power to remedy the Evil.-
- Colin Robertson’s Journal
(reference: pages 17424-5 of the Selkirk Papers, M186, Manitoba Archives)
Note – The events of the spring to which Robertson refers include the harrassment of settlers and HBC servants and officials and the burning of the Colony by NWCo. servants, and Duncan Cameron’s (and other officials of the NWCo.) coercement of the settlers into deserting the colony. 140 settlers were carried of in the NWCo. canoes to Upper Canada in June.
Colin Robertson was a member of the North West Company earlier in his career, but left it in 1809.
Tags: Alexander Macdonell (NWCo.), Duncan Cameron, Earl of Selkirk, First Nations, Fort Douglas, Fort Gibralter, HBC & NWC relations, Mr. Hesse (NWCo.), Mr. Seraphin, Qu'Appelle
