In 1885, the federal government sought to convict Louis Riel for high treason for his part in the North-West Resistance of 1885. The Queen vs. Louis Riel: Accused and Convicted of the Crime of High Treason is the report of Louis Riel’s trial. The report includes legal arguments, witness testimony and appendices. It also includes letters written by Riel.
Prosecution lawyers argued that Riel committed high treason during his participation in the resistance. During the trial, witnesses to the events of the North-West Resistance provided testimony. These included prisoners previously held by the provisional government of Saskatchewan led by Riel. The Crown also brought forward testimony from North-West Mounted Police Superintendent Lief Crozier and Major-General Frederick Middleton.
Riel’s lawyers attempted to argue a defence based on insanity. To this end, they relied on his time in an asylum in the 1870s. The lawyers also called upon the testimony of some doctors and Catholic priests with whom he interacted. Riel was opposed to this defence, telling the jury:
You are perfectly justified in declaring that having my reason and sound mind I have acted reasonably and in self-defence, while the Government, my accuser, being irresponsible and consequently insane, cannot but have acted wrongly, and if high treason there is, it must be on its side and not on my part.
The jury found Riel guilty of high treason. The judge sentenced him to death by hanging. He was executed on 16 November 1885 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
An image of page 154 of The Queen vs. Louis Riel is provided below. It includes part of Riel’s final speech before the court. The Canadian Encyclopedia
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Page 154 of The Queen vs. Louis Riel: Accused and Convicted of the Crime of High Treason
(courtesy Canadiana)