McDougall, on his arrival at the boundary of Minnesota, was served with a notice by the French half-breeds, not to enter the Territories.
Meanwhile, Louis Riel, son of the old miller of the Seine, and a true son of his father--but vain and assertive, having the ambition to be a Caesar or Napoleon, took the lead.

He succeeded in October in getting a few of the Metis to seize the highway at St.Norbert, some nine miles south of Fort Garry, and in the true style of a Paris revolt, erected a barricade or barrier to stop all passers-by.

It was here that Governor McTavish failed.

He was immediately informed of this illegal act, but did nothing.

Hearing of the obstacle on the highway, two of McDougall's officers came on towards Fort Garry, and finding the obstruction, one of them gave command, "Remove that blawsted fence," but the half-breeds refused to obey.