Viewmaster Booklet Reference Library by Mr Viewmaster
705_ Royal Canadian Mounted Police RCMP New Style Booklet
See Old Style Booklet HERE
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In the same
year that Canada acquired control of the Territories, a British army
officer, Lieutenant William Butler, was commissioned by the government
to survey the conditions prevailing on the new frontier. In his report,
submitted in 1871, Butler stated: "The institutions of Law and Order, as
understood in civilized communities, are wholly unknown." To establish
order, he recommended the formation of a well-equipped military force of
from 100 to 150 men, with one-third to be mounted. In 1872, a second
Western reconnaissance was made by Colonel P. Robertson-Ross, the
Commanding Officer of the Canadian Militia. His report confirmed
Butler's assessment of the situation, concluding that "a large military
force was not required, but that the presence of a certain force would
be found to be indispensable for the security of the country, to prevent
bloodshed and preserve order." He recommended the establishment of a
regiment of 500 mounted rifles, and suggested that their uniforms
include red coats.
Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, had intended to organize a mounted police force in 1869, the year that the North-West Territories were originally scheduled to be transferred to Canadian sovereignty. At that time, he conceived of a force of mounted riflemen which "should not be expressly Military but should be styled Police, and have the military bearing of the Irish Constabulary." In addition, the force was to be a "mixed one of pure white and British and French half-breeds," after the British model of counteracting religious and racial strife in colonial India. However, the Red River Rebellion forced the postponement of Macdonald's plans and the transfer of the North-West to Canadian control. |
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