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Peel 7436: Riel, Louis (1844-1885) [info]. [Letter] 1869 Dec. 14, Fort Garry [to] Eustache Prudhomme, Montreal. 1869. .

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Transcription

Que me font les honneurs? J’ai tant
été abreuvé deja par les humiliations!
Cher ami, tu me parles de la Fortune!
Je n’ai pas un sou. Je suis indépen-
dant, libre comme un oiseau. Et
c’est ce qui fait ma force aujourd’hui.
Je n’ai que ma vie! Je l’expose!
Je la risque. Je la mets partout en
avant; heureux si je mourais pour
la justice, l’honneur et mon pays.
Je sais bien que Dieu serait ainsi
plus disposé à avoir pitié de moi!
Et toi aussi tu as une fortune! Quelle
fortune? Presque comme la mienne
peut-être, mais veux-tu que je te
dise? Avant longtemps il y aura
ici de l’argent en masse.

Translation

What do I care about honour? I have already suffered too much from humiliations! Dear friend, you talk to me about Fortune! I do not have a penny. I am independent, free as a bird. And it makes my strength today. All I have is my life! I expose it! I risk it. I am always at the front lines; happy if I were to die for justice, honour and my country. I know but too well that God in this way would be more disposed to have pity on me. And you also have a fortune! What fortune? Maybe a bit like mine, but do you want to know something? Before long there will be lots of money here.