The Struggle for Imperial Unity: Recollections & Experiences — John Shaqi
The Struggle for Imperial Unity: Recollections & ExperiencesDenison, George T. (George Taylor)
History
The Struggle for Imperial Unity: Recollections & Experiences
Denison, George T. (George Taylor)
Canada -- History -- 1867-1914
Finding that Sir John was determined to receive them I said, "Well, Sir
John, I have always supported you, but from the day that you receive
Richot and Scott, you must look upon me as a strong and vigorous
opponent." He patted me on the shoulder and said, "Oh, no, you will
not oppose me, you must never do that." I replied, "I am very sorry,
Sir John. I never thought for a moment that you would humiliate us.
I thought when I helped to get up that great meeting in Toronto, and
carefully arranged that no hostile resolutions should be brought up
against you, that I was doing the best possible work for you; but
I seconded a very strong resolution and made a very decided speech
before ten thousand of my fellow citizens, and now I am committed, and
will have to take my stand." Feeling much disheartened I left him,
and worked against him, and did not support him again, until many
years afterwards, when the leaders of the party I had been attached to
foolishly began to coquette with commercial union, and some even with
veiled treason, while Sir John came out boldly for the Empire, and on
the side of loyalty, under the well-known cry, "A British subject I was
born, a British subject I will die."
After reporting to Schultz and Lynch we considered carefully the
situation, and as Lynch had been especially requested by his fellow
prisoners in Fort Garry to represent their views in Ontario, it was
decided that he, on behalf of the loyal element of Fort Garry, should
put their case before his Excellency the Governor-General himself,
and ask for redress and protection. After careful discussion, I
drafted a formal protest, which Lynch wrote out and signed, and we
went together to the Government House and delivered it there to one of
his Excellency's staff. Copies of this were given to the Press, and
attracted considerable attention. This protest was as follows:
RUSSELL'S HOTEL, OTTAWA
_12th April, 1870_.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,
Representing the loyal inhabitants of Red River both natives and
Canadians, and having heard with feelings of profound regret that your
Excellency's Government have it in consideration to receive and hear
the so-called delegates from Red River, I beg most humbly to approach
Your Excellency in order to lay before Your Excellency a statement of
the circumstances under which these men were appointed in order that
they may not be received or recognised as the true representatives of
the people of Red River.
These so-called delegates, Father Richot and Mr. Scott, were both
among the first organisers and promoters of the outbreak, and have
been supporters and associates of Mr. Riel and his faction from that
time to the present.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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