Armed with the scientific reports of John Palliser and Henry Youle Hind, William McDougall introduced a series of resolutions which eventually led to the federal government's purchase of Rupert's Land from the Hudson's Bay Company. Two years later, in 1869, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald appointed McDougall Lieutenant-Governor of the North-West Territories. When McDougall (and his four children) tried to cross the border at Pembina, North Dakota, on his way to Red River to assume office, he was turned back by a group of well-armed Métis. McDougall issued this "proclamation" in an effort to explain Canada's intentions. It would be the start of many statements issued by opposing interests. McDougall's manifesto was of little consequence; the Red River Rebellion had already begun.