inexperienced a man for the lawless region to which he was
sent.

It would have been almost useless to despatch a new Governor to the Red
River settlement unless there had also been obtained a number of
settlers to fill the place of those so skillfully led away by Duncan
Cameron. Lord Selkirk now secured the best band of Emigrants attainable.
These were from a rural parish on the East Coast of Sutherlandshire in
Scotland. They were from Helmsdale and from the parish of Kildonan and
the noble founder afterwards conferred this name on their new parish on
the banks of the Red River. The names of Matheson, Bannerman,
Sutherland, Polson, Gunn and the like show the sturdy character of this
band whose descendents are taking their full part in the affairs of the
Province of Manitoba of to-day. Governor Semple accompanied this party
of about one hundred settlers, and by way of the Hudson Bay route
reached the Red River Settlement in the same year in which they started.
They joined the restored settlers, whom Colin Robertson had placed upon
their lands again. With Governor Semple's contingent came James
Sutherland, an elder of the Church of Scotland, who was authorized to
baptize and marry. He was the first ordained man who reached the Selkirk
Colony. The influx of new and old settlers to the Colony, and the
imperfect preparations made for their shelter and sustenance led to the
whole Company betaking itself for the winter to Pembina, where at Fort
Daer they might be within reach of the buffalo herds. Governor Semple
accompanied the settlers to Pembina, though Alexander Macdonell had
charge for the winter. In October of 1815, as the settlers were
preparing for their winter quarters, the authorities of the Colony
thought it right to seize Fort Gibraltar, and to retake the field pieces
and other property of the Colony, which the "Nor'-Westers" had captured.
This was done and Duncan Cameron who had returned was also taken
prisoner. Cameron, on his promising to keep the peace was almost
immediately restored to his liberty and to the command of his fort. The
feeling, however, all over the country where there were rival Forts was
not a happy one and gave anxiety to both parties as to the future. After
New Year, 1816, Governor Semple returned from Pembina and counselled
with Colin Robertson, as to the disturbed state of things. They came to
the conclusion that the only safe course was to again capture Fort
Gibraltar. This they did abou