21 MAY 1870, Page 3

The expedition to be despatched to the Red River is

a "friendly' one, to secure order, and we fear we shall soon hear of a pardon for Riell, his offence being treated as political. Empires Are not kept together so. The expedition will be a most difficult business, the troops having to carry everything, boats included, over endless " portages " or breaks in the lake and river naviga- tion, and to cross a swamp some sixty miles broad, where, sap the Government Engineer, "in some instances the surface cover- ing is itself afloat, and heaves and undulates beneath the feet, presenting a quagmire or peat bog on an extensive scale." It is thought Riell may defend the swamp, but this is improbable after the compromise.