Louis Riel by Sharon Stewart

Author:Sharon Stewart
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: BIO006000, BIO007000
Publisher: Dundurn Press Limited
Published: 2010-11-05T04:00:00+00:00

Louis had gradually stopped talking about his visions and revelations in front of his doctors. He obeyed the rules of the asylum and was treated well. He was allowed books - he loved reading history - and discussed religion and politics at local meetings of a group called he Cercle Catholique. He made friends with the manager of the asylum, and even went on carriage jaunts with his family. Meanwhile, his own family was wild with anxiety at not hearing from him, for at first John Lee did not tell them where he was. Until July 1876, they had no idea what had happened to him. When they did find out, they were devastated.

In November of that year, Louis had a visitor from Red River. It was Archbishop Taché.

“Be my liberator,” Riel begged him. “I want to reach the United States.”

The archbishop believed he was better off where he was. But he did arrange for Louis to write to his family. By early 1877, letters began to fly back and forth. Careful letters, dealing only with family news and day-to-day life.

“I began this year with no way to send you New Year’s greetings,” he wrote to his mother. “But its never too late to let the ones you love know how much good you wish for them.” He inquired after the health of all the family, and sent his blessings. “Don’t worry about me,” he concluded. “I am under God’s protection, and all will be well…”

By January 1878, Riel was well enough to be released. “Today I feel better,” he told a doctor at the asylum. “I even laugh at the proud hallucinations of my brain. My mind is clear, but when one speaks of the Métis, of those poor people pursued by Orange fanaticism… Oh! Then my blood boils, my head swirls and…”

The doctor was watching him narrowly. “And?” he prompted.

“And it is better that I talk about something else,” finished Louis, meeting his gaze with a smile.

To his old friend Dr. Lachapelle he wrote:

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