Annette - The Metis Spy

The preceding story lays no claim to value or accuracy in its

descriptions of the North-West Territories. I have never seen that

portion of our country; and to endeavour to describe faithfully a

region of which I have only a hearsay knowledge would be foolish.

I have, therefore, arranged the geography of the Territories to suit

my own conveniences. I speak of places that no one, will be able to

find upon maps of the present or of the future. Wherever I want a

valley or a swamp, I put the same; and I have taken the same liberty

with respect to hills or waterfalls, The birds, and in some instances

the plants and flowers of the prairies, I have also made to order.

I present some fiction in my story, and a large array of fact. I do

not feel bound, however, to state which is the fact, and which the

fiction.

I have not aimed at dramatic excellence in this book. Change of

scene, incident and colour are the points which I had in view. There

is not any sham sentiment in the book.

I have introduced a few passages, with little change from a small

volume, entitled "The Story of Louis Riel." These passages in no way

effect the current of my story; but as I thought that they had some

merit, I had no compunction in diverting them to present uses. The

most notable authors have done this sort of thing; and chief amongst

them I may mention Thackeray.

I beg likewise to say a word with respect to the book known as "The

Story of Louis Riel." That volume has been quoted as history; but it

is largely fiction. There is no historic truth in the story therein

written by me that Louis Riel conceived a passion for a beautiful

girl named Marie; and that he put Thomas Scott to death, because the

maiden gave her heart to that young white man. I have seen the story

printed again and again as truth; but there is in it not one word of

truth. This much I am glad to be able to say in justice to the memory

of the miserable man, who has suffered a just penalty for his

transgressions. I never intended that the work in question should be

taken as history; and I should have made that point clear in an

introduction, bearing my name, but that I was unwilling to take

responsibility for the literary slovenliness, which was unavoidable

through my haste in writing, and through Mr. D. A. Rose's hurry in

publishing, the work. It occupied me only seventeen days; and I did

not see my proofs.

Once more: one of the leading characters in that book, Mr. Charles

Mair, is most unjustly treated. Him I held as one of the prime agents

in the rebellion of 1869; but nothing could be further from the fact.

His pen and his voice had always advocated justice and generosity

towards the Indians and the Metis. As to his sentiments respecting

the Indians, I need but refer to the drama of his "Tecumseh," which

Canadians have received with such enthusiasm.