§ SIR HARRY VERNEYsaid, he would beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, What is the present political state of affairs at the Red River Settlement?
§ MR. MONSELLIn answer to the Question of my hon. Friend I need hardly go back to the commencement of the rising. He is well aware that the armed rising in the Red River Settlement resulted in the refusal to admit the designated Lieutenant Governor, who has returned to Canada. We have every reason to believe that this armed rising was principally caused by misapprehension as to the intentions of the Canadian Government; and a Special Commissioner and two Envoys have been sent by the Canadian Government to remove the se misapprehensions, and to ascertain the wishes of the inhabitants, thus placing the matter in the course of settlement. The Commissioner has been re- 119 ceived by the insurgent party, and is now in communication with them. So far as matters have gone—although it would be premature to express any decided opinion—there appears to be good reason for hoping that the difficulties will be adjusted without recourse to any other measures than the se of mutual explanation.