1. Dominion of Canada
Classified Document
1869

2. in their eighth year of elementary, of Professor A. Caruso,
To the students
in their eighth year of elementary,
of Professor
A. Caruso,
at the common school of Holy Spirit,
in the town of Aurora,
in the Province of Ontario,
in the Dominion of Canada

3. Sir John Alexander Macdonald
A request has been made
by the
Right Honourable
Sir John Alexander Macdonald
Prime Minister
of the
Dominion of Canada

4. To provide a service
for
your country
and
your Queen

5. If you succeed
you will be
rewarded
handsomely
and your country
will be forever
in your debt

6. If you fail
the future
of our newly formed
and
glorious country
will be in
jeopardy

7. Dominion of Canada
Message from the
office of the
prime minister

8. Ottawa, 1869,
“It is my pleasure to be writing
this message to the intelligent
young gentlemen, and of course
young ladies, of Holy Spirit. I
have read about the fine work that you have displayed, and from the reports submitted by your most gracious and remarkable professor, I feel that you young people are the only ones I can turn to.

9. “We have just recently purchased
Rupert’s Land from the Hudson’s
Bay Company for
pounds. I do not need to tell you
the importance of this sale as you
have already examined it in your
debates. Hudson’s Bay Company withdrew their rule in January and the whole region is to be transferred to our Dominion on December 1st of this year.

10. “I appointed William McDougall
to be the lieutenant-governor for
these North-West Territories
and Canadian surveyors have
been sent to survey the land for
the great amount of settlers we
anticipate will settle these vast lands.
Most land was empty save for the settlers living at the Red River Settlement around Fort Garry and the Indians scattered sparsely throughout the land.

11. “But a problem has arisen that could jeopardize the smooth transition of the control of the territories
and quite possibly and
most worrisome,
jeopardize the very union
of the Dominion which
many (myself included)
have worked so hard
- a problem I like to call…

12. The
Trouble at
Red River

13. “I have included work papers in
the package that you have just
received.
I ask that some good kindly gentleman, or lady, please distribute one to each of you in your room.
“You will record all important information that I will now be relaying to you.
Do not be idle ... time is a precious commodity that we cannot afford to waste.
Be certain to make good note of this problem.

14. “I have mentioned that I had
appointed McDougall as the
lieutenant-governor of the soon
to be acquired land.
I sent him to the colony to set
up a Canadian government for
the territory. He had to travel
through the United States because there is no road nor railroad joining Ontario and the North-West Territories.

15. “When he arrived at the border of the Red River Settlement (October 21), McDougall found the road leading to the Fort blocked by a group of armed half-breeds known as Métis.
They gave him a written letter in French that told him that the Métis would not have any governor without being consulted first and fearing for his safety, McDougall returned back to the U.S.

16. “On top of this abomination, I learned that the government surveyors sent out to survey the land were stopped by these Métis. The surveyors were not allowed to continue with their work and were threatened with harm if they did! Instead of accepting the legitimate government from our Dominion (to be set up by McDougall) these Métis have set up their OWN government, a Provisional Government. I have included a photograph of the people who make up this provisional government.

17. “But the seriousness of this
situation peaked when I learned
that, under the leadership of
Louis Riel (right), this
government sent 120 armed
Métis into Fort Garry and took
control on November 2.
This fort contains large supplies
of food and ammunition.
From this strategic position, they can control the colony. This, my dear friends, can only mean one thing - TREASON! And treason is punishable by DEATH!

18. “However, I feel that I have become soft in my old age
“However, I feel that I have become soft in my old age. I do wish to solve this trouble peacefully before our Dominion takes control of the region on December 1st. Yet TRAITORS to the Queen and country must be dealt with severely.
“This is my dilemma:
Do I seek a peaceful solution through negotiation,
or do I use force?
This is where I need your help!

19. Dominion of Canada
Classified Document
Your Mission
1869

20. I need each and everyone of you fine young people to act as Special Agents for the Dominion of Canada. You are to infiltrate the Red River Settlement to gather vital information so that I can make the best decision in the interest of our country.

21. You are to get information about:
THE EVENTS
1. What really happened with
- McDougall;
- the surveyors;
- the taking of Fort Garry?
2. What demands does the Provisional
Government make?
3. Why did this ‘trouble’ happen?

22. THE PEOPLE
1. Who are the peoples of the west?
2. Who are the Métis?
- find out more about their culture
3. Who is Louis Riel?

23. THE SOLUTION
1. Based on your research, what should be the
response of the Canadian government?
- Negotiate a peaceful settlement? How?
- Use force? How?
2. Give good reasons for your recommendation.

24. THE WRITTEN REPORT
1. You will present all this information in a
creative written report.
2. Use your knowledge of writing research reports
and expository paragraphs to produce a report that is accurate and informative.
3. Be creative with your Top Secret Report!

25. “I anxiously await your final recommendation.
I thank you in advance for your work. I ask that you take this matter seriously.
The fate of this young nation rests in your hands.”
Sincerely,
John A. Macdonald