Riedesel, Friedrich Adolph, Baron (1738-1800). German officer. Born in Rhine-Hesse. Educated at Marburg. Served on the staff of Prince Ferdinand of Brunswick in the Seven Years' War, and took part in the battle of Minden. In 1776 attached to the British forces in North America, and while in Quebec organized his troops to meet colonial methods of fighting. Took part in the capture of Ticonderoga, and in the defeat of the Americans at Hubbardton. In 1777 taken prisoner at Saratoga, and exchanged in 1779. Returned to Germany, 1783, and promoted lieutenant-general, 1787. Commandant of the city of Brunswick, 1794. Index: Dr Commands German troops, 145; joins Burgoyne at St. Johns, 147; his regret at Carleton's being superseded in military command, 174. Hd Commands German troops, 114; his description of Canada and Canadians, 114-116, 239-240; personal friend of Haldimand, 296, 297, 299, 302; on Washington's methods, 298. Bib.: Bradley, The Making of Canada; History of Canada. See also Haldimand.
Riel, Louis (1844-1885). Born in St. Boniface, Manitoba. Educated at the Jesuit College, Montreal. Leader of the Rebellion of 1869-1870; organized a provisional government at Fort Garry, but fled to the United States on the arrival of the punitive force under Wolseley. Returned to Canada in 1884, took command of the rebel forces in Saskatchewan, captured at Batoche, tried, convicted of treason, and hanged. Index: C Leads revolt in North-West, 69; establishes provisional government, 69. Md Sets up provisional government at Fort Garry, 158; puts Thomas Scott to death, 160; his good faith doubted by Macdonald, 160; Cartier's plan of a full amnesty and a new provincial government, 162; decamps on arrival of Wolseley, 162; long the storm centre of Canadian politics, 162; elected to Parliament, 1874, but expelled and outlawed, 162; invited by half-breeds to return to Canada, 241; leads Rebellion of 1885, 242; captured and hanged, 242; excitement in Quebec, 243-244; his execution debated in Parliament, 280. Bib.: The Queen vs. Louis Riel; Louis Riel, Martyr du Nord-Ouest; Begg, History of the North-West; Morice, Dict. See also Riel Rebellion.
Riel Rebellion, 1869-1870. The territorial rights of the Hudson's Bay Company having been transferred to Canada, a surveying party under Colonel Dennis was sent out to Red River in 1869, and the same year William Macdougall was appointed lieutenant-governor of Rupert's Land, and instructed to proceed to Fort Garry and assume control. The French half-breeds, alarmed at these proceedings, which they thought menaced the rights to their lands, turned back the surveying parties, and prevented Macdougall from crossing the boundary. They formed themselves into a provisional government, of which Louis Riel was secretary, and later was elected president. Riel published a "Bill of Rights," and seized Fort Garry. An ill-judged attempt on the part of some of the loyal settlers to compel the release of certain prisoners failed, and the leader, Major Boulton, with Thomas Scott and others, was captured. Boulton was released, but Riel caused Scott to be shot. Intense indignation throughout Canada was aroused by this act, and the government at once organized an expeditionary force, under Colonel Wolseley. The force proceeded by way of the lakes, and the Dawson route from Fort William to Lake Winnipeg. Wolseley reached Fort Garry on Aug. 24, 1870, to find that Riel, with his lieutenants Lepine and O'Donoghue, had fled across the border. Riel was subsequently outlawed. Index: C Its causes, 69. H Joseph Howe's official connection with, 227-228. See also Riel. Bib.: Huyshe, Red River Expedition; Boulton, Reminiscences of the North-West Rebellions; Bryce, Manitoba; McArthur, Causes of the Rising in Red River Settlement (Man. Hist. and Sc. Soc., 1882); Denison, Reminiscences of the Rebellion of 1869 and Soldiering in Canada.
Riel Rebellion, 1885. The land question, which had given rise to the Red River Rebellion of 1869-1870, was also responsible for the Saskatchewan Rebellion of 1885. The government had neglected to issue patents to the half-breeds on the Saskatchewan, and they became convinced that their lands would be taken from them. Riel was sent for, and an agitation worked up, at first along peaceful lines, but rapidly moving towards violence. Riel finally threw discretion to the winds, and deliberately inflamed not only the half-breeds, but also the western tribes. A small detachment of Mounted Police and volunteers was attacked at Duck Lake, and the government at Ottawa, hitherto indifferent, awoke to the seriousness of the situation. A force was organized, and sent west under General Middleton. Middleton divided his force into three columns; one under General Strange, to operate against Big Bear in the neighbourhood of Edmonton; the second under Colonel Otter, to relieve Battleford, which was threatened by Poundmaker; and the third, of which he himself took command, to relieve Prince Albert. Middleton met the rebels at Fish Creek, and experienced a stubborn resistance, but drove them back to Batoche. Here Riel and his men held the troops at bay for three days, but were finally routed and scattered. Meanwhile Otter had encountered Poundmaker at Cut Knife Creek, and after a desperate fight had been forced to retreat. In the far west, Strange had a similar experience with Big Bear, but finally drove him to the north. Big Bear gave himself up; Poundmaker and Riel were captured, and the latter paid the penalty of his crimes on the scaffold. Index: See also Riel. Bib.: Boulton, Reminiscences of the North-West Rebellions; Report upon the Suppression of the Rebellion in the North-West; Denison, Soldiering in Canada.
Ripon, Frederick John Robinson, Earl of (1782-1859). Born in London. Educated at Harrow and Cambridge. In 1806 entered Parliament; in 1809 appointed under-secretary for the colonies; in 1810 lord of the Admiralty; in 1812 a member of the Privy Council; and paymaster-general of the forces, 1813-1817. Appointed chancellor of the exchequer, 1823, and introduced various fiscal reforms. In 1827 created Viscount Goderich; and became leader of the House of Lords and prime minister on the death of Canning. Subsequently filled the portfolios of war, the privy seal, the Board of Trade, and Indian affairs. In 1836 created Earl of Ripon. Index: Mc Colonial secretary, 1832, 221; inquires into Upper Canada Reformers' grievances, 223, 224; offers Mackenzie the post-office department, 225; deprecates civil war, 226; replies to Mackenzie, 227; relieves religious bodies as to taking oath, 227; stops free gifts of public lands, 227; decides that British subjects not to be disqualified from voting, 228; promotes extension of education, 228; orders account of public moneys, 228; suggests retirement of ecclesiastics as legislative councillors, 229; reduces cost of elections, 229; favours independent judiciary, 229; differs from Mackenzie, 230; Family Compact incensed at, 230; dismisses Hagerman and Boulton, 231, 232; resigns, 235; disallows Bank Acts, 237. Sy Resigns, 16. BL His despatch to the colony of Upper Canada, 15; petition and correspondence as to affairs in Upper Canada, 30. P Offers Papineau and his friends control of revenue in exchange for a civil list, 76-79. W Views on crown lands, New Brunswick, 23. Sy Liberal statesman, 15; becomes prime minister as Lord Goderich, 16; resigns, 16. Bib.: Dict. Nat. Biog.
Ripon, George Frederick Samuel Robinson, first Marquess (1827- ). Succeeded his father as Earl of Ripon, 1859, and his uncle as Earl de Grey the same year. Created marquis, 1871. Has been secretary of state for war, India, the colonies, lord president of the Council, and first lord of the Admiralty. Viceroy of India, 1880-1884. Index: B Explains proposed scheme of defence for Canada, 184; on committee as to Confederation and defence, 186. Bib.: Who's Who.
Ritchie, Sir William Johnstone (1813-1892). Born in Annapolis, Nova Scotia. Educated at Pictou Academy, Nova Scotia. In 1838 called to the bar of New Brunswick; in 1846-1851 member for St. John in the Legislative Assembly, and in 1854-1855 appointed to the Executive Council. In 1855 became puisne judge of the Supreme Court of New Brunswick; in 1865 chief-justice of New Brunswick; and in 1875 puisne judge of the Supreme Court of Canada. Appointed chief-justice of Canada, 1879; knighted, 1881. Index: T Elected for St. John County, 10, 12-13; afterwards chief-justice of Canada, 13; moves amendment to address, 18; condemns the government, 22; resigns his seat, 24; returned for St. John County, 30; and surveyor-general question, 33; made chief-justice, New Brunswick, 94. Bib.: Dent, Can. Por.
Rivière aux Raisins. S Boundary of territory dependent on Detroit during British occupation, 145.
Rivière Ouelle. South shore of St. Lawrence, below Quebec. Index: F Alleged repulse of party of New Englanders at, 291.
Roads. BL Government makes provision for, in 1841, 98-99; winter roads at Quebec, 146-147. See also Yonge Street; Dundas Street; Baldoon Road.