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Mr. Smith in his report to the Government gives a
detailed account of the putting to death of Thomas Scott, which is as
follows: "I had no further communication with Riel until Monday, the 4th
of March, when about 10 o'clock in the morning, Pere Lestanc called on me.
He informed me of Bishop (afterwards Archbishop) Taché's expected
arrival—not later certainly than the 8th and probably some days
earlier—adding that his lordship had telegraphed to request that if about
to leave for Canada, I would defer my departure until he could communicate
personally with me. He (Pere Lestanc) then said that the conduct of the
prisoners was very unsatisfactory, that they were unruly, insolent to the
soldiers and their behavior altogether so very bad that he was afraid the
guards might be forced to retaliate in self-defence." I expressed much
surprise at the information he gave, as the prisoners, without exception,
had promised to Archdeacon McLean and myself that, seeing their helpless
position, they would endeavor to act so as to avoid giving offence to
their guards, and we encouraged them to look forward to he speedily
released in fulfilment of the promise made by Mr. Rid. About 11 o'clock
Pere Lestanc left me and went upstairs to communicate to Governor McTavish
what he termed the good news that Bishop Taehè was expected soon. The
Reverend Mr. Young, Methodist clergyman, had just entered the house, and
meeting the Pere in the hail, conversed with him for a few minutes. Mr.
Young then came up to me, and from him I had the first intimation that it
was intended to shoot Thomas Scott (a leader in the Portage La Prairie
rising), and that the sentence was to be carried into effect at twelve
o'clock that day. We agreed in believing that this thing was too monstrous
to be possible, and Mr. Young said that poor Scott himself was equally
incredulous on the subject, thinking they merely intended to frighten him.
However, even to keep him in suspense was a horrible cruelty, and it was
arranged that as Mr. Young had been sent for to attend the man, he should
see Riel, ascertain exactly how the matter stood, and if really serious,
let me know at once. Mr. Young accordingly called on Riel, was informed
that Scott had been condemned, that the sentence was irrevocable, and
would not be dealyed one minute beyond noon. Mr. Young begged for delay,
saying that the man was not prepared to die; but all without avail. He was
paralyzed with horror, returned to the prisoner and immediately sent a
messenger to inform me of the result of his visit. I determined to find
out Riel immediately, but recollecting that Pere Lestanc was still
upstairs with Mr. McTavish, went to him, related what I had heard, and
asked him if he knew anything about the matter. his answer was to the
effect that they had seen Mr. Riel and had all spoken to him about it; by
which I understood that they had interceded for Scott.
Governor McTavish was greatly shocked on being
informed of Riel's purpose and joined in reprobating it. Pere Lestanc
consented to accompany me, and we called on Rid. When we entered, he asked
me, 'What news from Canada?' The mail had arrived on the preceding day,
and I replied, 'Only the intelligence that Bishop Tachè will be here very
soon.' I then mentioned what I had heard regarding Scott, and before Rid
answered, Pere Lestanc interposed in French words meaning, 'Is there no
way of escape?' Rid replied to him, 'My Rev. Pere, you know exactly how
the matter stands"; then turning to me, he said, 'I will explain to you,'
speaking at first iii English but shortly afterwards using the French,
remarking to me, 'You understand that language?' He said in substance that
Scott had been throughout a dangerous character, had-been the ringleader
in a rising against Mr. Snow, who had charge of the party employed by the
Canaujan Government during the preceding summer, in roadmaking; that he
had risen against the 'Provisional Government' in December last, that his
life was then spared; that he escaped, had again been taken in arms, and
once more pardoned (referring, no doubt, to the promise he had made to me
that the lives and liberty of all the prisoners were secured) ; but that
he was incorrigible and quite incapable of appreciating the clemency with
which he had been treated; that he was rough and abusive to the guards and
insulting to him, Mr. Rid; that his example had been productive of the
very worst effects on the other prisoners, who had become insubordinate to
such an extent that it was difficult to withhold the guards from
retaliating.'
He further said, 'I sat down with Scott as we are
doing now, and asked him truthfully to tell me—as I would not use the
statement against him —what he and the Portage people intended to have
done with me had they succeeded in capturing me, to which he replied, 'We
intended to keep you as a hostage for the safety of the prisoners.' I
argued with Riel and endeavored to show that some of the circumstances he
had mentioned, and especially the last, were very strong reasons why
Scott's life should not be sacrificed, and that if, as he represented,
Scott was a rash, thoughtless man, whom none cared to have anything to do
with, no evil need be apprehended from his example. I pointed out that the
one great merit claimed for the insurrection was that it had been
bloodless; I implored him not now to stain it, not to burden it with what
would be considered a horrible crime. 'We must make Canada respect us!' he
exclaimed. 'She has every proper respect for the people of the Red River,'
I replied, 'and this is shown in her having sent Commissioners to treat
with them.' I told him I had seen the prisoners some time back, when they
commissioned me to say to their friends at Portage that they desired
peace, and I offered to go to them again and reason with them should that
be necessary. On this he said, 'Look here, Mr. Smith, I sent a
representative to see the prisoners, and when he asked them whom they
would vote for as councillors outside their own body, Thomas Scott came
forward and said, 'Boys, have nothing to do with those Americans.' When I
remarked that this was a most trifling affair, and should not have been
repeated, Riel said, 'Do not attempt to prejudice us against the
Americans; for although we have not been with them, they are with us, and
have been better friends to us than the Canadians.'
Much more was said on both sides, but argument,
entreaty and protest alike failed to draw him from his purpose, and he
closed by saying: 'I have done three good things since I commenced; I have
spared Boulton's life at your instance, and I do not regret it, for he is
a fine fellow; I pardoned another one, and he showed his gratitude by
escaping, but I don't grudge him his miserable life; and now I shall shoot
Scott.'
The Adjutant-General now entered; lie was president
of the council of seven which tried Scott, five of whom, Riel told me,
'with tears streaming from their eyes, condemned him as worthy of death,'
a sentence which he had confirmed. In answer to Riel, the Adjutant said,
Scott must die. Riel then requested the Rev. Pere Lestanc to put the
people on their knees for prayer, as it might do good to the condemned
man's soul. Referring to Pere Lestanc and making a final appeal,
unnecessary to repeat, I retired.
It was now within a few minutes of one o'clock, and
on entering the Governor's house, the Rev. Mr. Young joined me and said,
'It is now considerably past the hour; I trust you have succeeded?" "No,'
I said, 'for God's sake go back at once to the poor man, for I fear the
worst.' Ile left immediately, and a few minutes after entering the room in
which the prisoner was confined, some guards marched in and-told Scott
that his hour had come. Not until then did the reality of his position
flash upon poor Scott. lie said good-bye to the other prisoners, was led
outside the gate of the Fort with a white handkerchief covering his head;
his coffin, having a piece of white cotton thrown over it, was carried
out.
His eyes were then bandaged; he continued in prayer,
in which he had been engaged on the way, for a few minutes. Ile asked Mr.
Young how he should place himself, whether standing or kneeling; then
knelt in the snow, said farewell, and immediately fell back, pierced by
three bullets. The firing party consisted of six men, all of whom, it is
said, were more or less intoxicated. It has been further stated that only
three of the muskets were loaded with ball cartridge, and that one man did
not discharge his piece. Mr. Young turned aside when the first shots were
fired, then went back to the body, and again retired for a moment, while a
man discharged his revolver at the sufferer, the ball, it is said,
entering the eye and passing round the head.
The wounded man groaned between the time of
receiving the musket shots and the discharge of the revolver. Mr. Young
asked to have the remains for interment in the burying-ground of the
Presbyterian Church, but this was not acceded to, and a similar request,
preferred by the Bishop of Rupert's Land, was also refused. He was buried
within the walls of the fort. It is said on descending the steps leading
from the prison door, Scott, addressing Mr. Young, said, 'This is a cold-
blooded murder,' then he engaged in prayer, and was so occupied until he
was shot," |
