Rupert's Land
RED RIVER DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
The following is the Declaration of Independence of the people of Rupert's
Land and the North West, adopted at Fort Garry, 8th Dec: -
"Whereas, it is admitted by all men as a fundamental principle that
the public authority commands the obedience and respect of all its subjects,
it is also admitted that the people to be governed have the right to adopt
or reject forms of government, or refuse allegiance to that which is proposed,
in accordance with the fundamental principle that the public authority commands
the obedience and respect of all its subjects. It is also admitted that
the people to be governed have the right to adopt or reject forms of government
or refuse allegiance to that which is proposed in accordance with fundamental
principles.
The people of this country had obeyed and respected that authority to which
the circumstances surrounding its infancy compelled it to be subject. A
company of adventurers, known as the H. B Co. and invested with certain
powers granted by His Majesty Charles II, established itself in Rupert's
Land and in the North West Territory for trading purposes only. This company
consisted of many persons possessing a certain constitution, but as there
was a question of commerce only the constitution was formed in reference
thereto; yet, since there was at the time no government to see to the interests
of a people already existing in the country, it became necessary for judicial
officers to have recourse to the Hudson Bay Company. They inaugurated that
species of government which, slightly modified by subsequent circumstances,
ruled this country up to a recent date.
Whereas the government thus constituted was far from answering the wants
of the people, and became more and more so as the population increased in
numbers, and as the country was developed, and its commerce extended until
the present day, when it commands a place among the countries, this people,
ever actuated by the above mentioned principles had generously supported
the aforesaid government, and gave to it a faithful allegiance, when, contrary
to the law of nations in March, 1869, that said government surrendered and
transferred to Canada all the rights which it had a pretended right to have
in this territory by transactions with which the people were considered
unworthy to be acquainted; and whereas it is also generally admitted that
a people is at liberty to establish any form of government it may consider
suitable to its wants, as soon as the power to which it was subject abandons
it or subjugates it without its consent to a foreign power, and it is maintained
that no right can be transferred to such foreign power;-Now, therefore,
First - We, the representatives of the people in council assembled in Upper
Fort Garry, the 24th day of November, 1869, also having invoked the God
of nations, relying on these fundamental moral principles, solemnly declare
in the law of our constitution, and in our own names before God and man,
that from the day on which the government we had always represented abandoned
us by transferring to a strange power the sacred authority confided to it
the people of Rupert's Land and the North West became free and exempt from
all allegiance to the government.
Second - That we refuse to recognize the authority of Canada, which pretends
to have a right to govern and impose upon us a despotic form of government
still more contrary to our right and interests as British subjects, than
was that government to which we had subjected ourselves through necessity
up to a recent date.
Third - That by sending an expedition on the first of November ult., in
charge of Mr. William McDougall and his companions, coming in the name of
Canada to rule us with the rod of despotism without previous notification
to that effect, we have but acted conformably to that sacred right which
commands every citizen to offer energetic opposition to prevent his country
being enslaved.
Fourth - That we continue, and shall continue, to oppose with all our strength
the establishing of the Canadian authority in our country under the announced
form, and in case of persistence on the part of the Canadian Government
to enforce its obnoxious policy upon us by force of arms, we protest beforehand
against such an unjust and unlawful course, and we declare the said Canadian
Government responsible before God and man for the innumerable evils which
may be caused by so unwarrantable a course.
Be it known, therefore, to the world in general and to the Canadian Government
in particular, that as we have always heretofore successfully defended our
country in frequent wars with the neighboring tribes of Indians who are
now on friendly terms with us, we are firmly resolved in future, not less
than the past, to repel all invasions from whatsoever quarter they may come;
and furthermore, we do declare and proclaim in the name of the people of
Rupert's land and the North West that we have on the said 24th day of November,
1869, above mentioned, established a Provisional Government, and hold it
to be the only and lawful authority now in existence in Rupert's Land and
the North West which claims the obedience and respect of the people; that
meanwhile, we hold ourselves in readiness to enter into such negotiations
with the Canadian Government as may be favorable for the good government
and prosperity of this people.
In support of this declaration, relying on the protection of Divine Providence,
we mutually pledge ourselves on oath, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred
honor to each other.
