A joint English-Métis central committee, with Jackson…

A joint English-Métis central committee, with Jackson acting as secretary, has worked to reconcile proposals from different communities.

Riel's support had begun to waver in the interim.

As Riel's religious pronouncements become increasingly removed from Roman Catholicism, the clergy have begun to distance themselves, and father Alexis André has cautioned Riel against mixing religion and politics.

Also, in response to bribes by territorial lieutenant-governor and Indian commissioner Edgar Dewdney, local English-language newspapers have adopted an editorial stance critical of Riel.

Nevertheless, the work had continued, and on December 16, Riel forwards the committee's petition to the government, along with the suggestion that delegates be sent to Ottawa to engage in direct negotiation.

Receipt of the petition is acknowledged by Joseph-Adolphe Chapleau, Macdonald's Secretary of State, although Macdonald himself will later deny having ever seen it.