Adams George Archibald had arrived on September…

Adams George Archibald had arrived on September 2 and set about the establishment of civil government.

The settlement now faces another threat, this time from cross-border Fenian raids coordinated by Riels’ former associate William Bernard O'Donoghue.

While the threat proves overstated, Archibald proclaims a general call to arms on October 4.

Companies of armed horsemen are raised, including one led by Riel.

When Archibald reviews the troops in St. Boniface, he makes the significant gesture of publicly shaking Riel's hand, signaling that a rapprochement had been affected.

This is not to be—when this news reaches Ontario, Mair and members of the Canada First movement will whip up a significant resurgence of anti-Riel (and anti-Archibald) sentiment.

Archibald appoints Smith to his Executive Council on October 20, 1870, although this decision will be subsequently overturned by the Canadian government, which will rule that Archibald had overstepped his legal authority.