The Convention began sitting one week later and their work was completed by February 10. With unanimous agreement, Riel formed a provisional government which was more representative than the previous one. Three delegates were elected to go and present the "Bill of Rights" to the Canadian government: Father Noel Ritchot, Judge Black and Alfred Scott. Everything seemed to indicate a return to a state of calm, but such was not to be the case. Even while the delegates were still sitting, a group of Orangemen from Ontario were preparing a counter-Riel movement. These men had supported John Schultz and J.S. Dennis in opposing Riel's Provisional Government in December 1869. Several of them had been imprisoned at Fort Garry, but a substantial group was still at large in the vicinity of Portage la Prairie.

On January 9, 1870, 12 prisoners including Charles Mair and Thomas Scott escaped from the Fort. On January 23, John Schultz managed to escape as well. On February 12, Riel freed the other prisoners on the condition that they not interfere with the politics in the Settlement. This initiative cooled the ardour of many, but the Orange party continued its march on Fort Garry. On February 18, Major Charles Boulton and his men, passing near the Fort, were arrested by Riel's men, 48 were captured, including Thomas Scott. Major Boulton was tried and sentenced to death, but the sentence was never carried out. After causing problems and attempting to escape, Thomas Scott was summoned to appear before a Metis court martial formed in accordance with the custom of the buffalo hunt and presided over by Ambroise Lepine, Louis Riel's lieutenant. The seven members of the court found him guilty of defying the authority of the Provisional Government, of fighting with the guards and insulting the President.

Scott was sentenced to death by a vote of five to two and the next day, March 4, 1870, he was executed by a firing squad. Although pressure was brought to bear on Riel to prevent the execution, he refused to be swayed. Scott was an Orangeman who was fiercely anti-Catholic. Whatever Riel's motives for this action were, it caused much controversy and forced Riel into exile, shaking his most ardent supporters.

On March 24, the three delegates left for Ottawa to negotiate the terms of entry into Confederation with the representatives of the Canadian government. Father Ritchot became the spokesman for the delegation, as Judge Black and Alfred Scott were relatively ineffective. Much debate and questioning of Richot ensued, but he was able to convince the government to introduce the Manitoba Bill into the House of Commons. On May 12, 1870, the Manitoba Act, based on the Metis "List of Rights," was passed by the Canadian Parliament. One section protected Metis lands and guaranteed the right to their religion and to the use of their language in the Legislature and the courts. Riel, as head of the Provisional Government, was to maintain peace and order while awaiting the arrival of the first Lieutenant Governor, Adams G. Archibald. Colonel Wolseley's troops were to accompany the new Governor to the settlement.

Wolseley's troops arrived before Archibald. A number of his troop wanted to avenge the death of Scott and began causing problems in the settlement and trying to find Riel. Warned of their intentions, Riel, Lepine and William O'Donoghue (an Irish American) had time to flee to sanctuary in the United States. Riel went to the Metis settlement of St. Joseph, in Dakota Territory, to await news from Red River. Bishop Tache wrote Riel shortly after and suggested he remain in hiding as his life would be in danger if he returned. The situation was serious; disputes between the Metis and Wolseley's men were growing in number.

Riel found it difficult to remain in hiding and on September 17 returned to attend a gathering of the Metis in St. Norbert. At this meeting, it was resolved that a petition be sent to the President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, to ask him to intercede with the Queen for an investigation of Riel, etal's demand for amnesty. O'Donoghue wanted annexation of the Settlement to the United States, but Riel opposed the idea. O'Donoghue was selected to carry the petition to the President. O'Donoghue went ahead and inserted a request for annexation but failed to convince President Grant, who rejected the request. O'Donoghue then went to New York where he met with some Irish Fenians who had already made forays into Canada. He managed to convince them to make a raid into Manitoba. When news of this reached Manitoba, Lieutenant Governor Archibald was very concerned.

The United States was very interested in the Northwest Territory as well. Go on to American involvement.