Skip to main content

Primary sourceLetter1870

The Red River Rebellion: Eight Letters to Hon. Joseph Howe

William MacDougall · 1870

A pamphlet of eight letters addressed to Joseph Howe by William MacDougall, defending his conduct during the Red River Rebellion.

These letters were addressed directly to Howe in his role as secretary of state, defending MacDougall's actions during the Red River crisis.

Ask Joseph Howe about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
The Red River Rebellion: Eight Letters to Hon. Joseph HowePDF · 72 pages
William MacDougall, The Red River Rebellion: Eight Letters to Hon. Joseph Howe, 1870.

About this source

What it is

This is a printed pamphlet from 1870 containing eight letters written by William MacDougall, former Minister of Public Works and commissioned Lieutenant-Governor of Rupert's Land, addressed to Joseph Howe, who was then secretary of state for the provinces. The letters reply to an earlier official pamphlet criticising MacDougall's conduct.

Why it matters

The letters were written during the Red River Resistance of 1869-1870, a major crisis for the new Canadian government in which Howe served. MacDougall uses the letters to defend himself and challenge the government's handling of events, making this a direct window into the political arguments swirling around Howe's office at the time.

Look closer

  • Why would MacDougall choose to address his defence directly to Howe rather than the public?
  • What does the existence of these letters tell you about disagreements within the government over the Red River crisis?
  • Whose side of the story might be missing from this pamphlet?

This letter is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Joseph Howe on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Joseph Howe sources

Meet the AI Joseph Howe →
Four-story red brick building with arched windows and a ground floor restaurant front bearing the sign 'The Pourhouse' and a green awning reading 'The Old Triangle'. Black umbrellas and outdoor tables stand near the street-level windows.Newspaper article

Primary source

Novascotian

George Renny Young · 1824

Letter

Primary source

Letters to Lord John Russell on Responsible Government

Joseph Howe · 1839

Title page of a printed 1867 letter, headed 'British North American Provinces', with handwritten 'Gr. Brit. Colonial Office' and 'No. 2' marks. It names Joseph Howe, William Annand and Hugh McDonald as authors, addressed to the Earl of Carnarvon, objecting to the proposed union. Printed in London with a coat of arms.Letter

Primary source

Letter to the Earl of Carnarvon Objecting to Confederation

Joseph Howe, William Annand and Hugh McDonald · 1867

Black and white studio photograph of an older man with light hair, wearing a long dark coat, dark vest and bow tie, standing beside a draped table with a top hat on it, in front of a painted backdrop of hills and a stepped platform.Photograph

Primary source

Portrait of Joseph Howe

Black and white studio photograph of an older man with white hair and a mustache, seated in an ornate carved wooden armchair with upholstered seat, legs crossed, wearing a light suit and vest. Draped curtain and a dark cabinet with papers are behind him.Photograph

Primary source

Joseph Howe, 1869

William James Topley · 1869

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Joseph Howe now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions