Description

Alexander Morris (1826-89) served as lieutenant-governor of Manitoba and the Northwest Territories, not long after Canada purchased the latter from the Hudson's Bay Company in 1869. This colossal land transfer was a source of unrest for the indigenous peoples, who were displeased about the arrival of missionaries and other settlers. Morris was involved in negotiating treaties over issues such as land rights, publishing this account in 1880. He provides some historical context to the many negotiations in which he participated as well as some of his thoughts on how the agreements could best be implemented. The work, which also includes the full texts of these treaties, remains a valuable source on the history of the relationship between Europeans and indigenous peoples during the settlement of the outer reaches of Canada.