CHAPTER XXVII.

THE BLUE-BOOK OF 1819 AND THE NORTH-WEST TRIALS.

British law disgraced--Governor Sherbrooke's distress--A commission decided on--Few unbiassed Canadians--Colonel Coltman chosen--Over ice and snow--Alarming rumours--The Prince Regent's orders--Coltman at Red River--The Earl submissive--The Commissioner's report admirable--The celebrated Reinhart case--Disturbing lawsuits--Justice perverted--A store-house of facts--Sympathy of Sir Walter Scott--Lord Selkirk's death--Tomb at Orthes, in France 252