While Louis Riel was leading his provisional government: a temporary government usually established to rule until an officially recognized government can be established.provisional government and negotiating with the Canadian government over the Red River valley territory, there was a group of Canadian expansionists who opposed any guarantees for Métis rights in the area. At one point, they attempted to attack Fort Garry and several were arrested. Riel let most of them go on the condition that they promise to leave the valley or obey his government. Among those who refused and remained in prison was Thomas Scott, an Irish Protestant. Scott was an
Orangeman: a member of a secret society, formed in the north of Ireland in 1795 to uphold the Protestant religion and Protestant control in Ireland.Orangemen and very anti-Catholic. He repeatedly taunted his captors and threatened to kill Riel.

A Métis court voted to execute Scott and Riel went along with their decision. Some historians say this was one of Riel's most fatal errors. Scott became a
martyr: a person who is put to death or made to suffer for his religion or other beliefs.martyr for that faction of Canadians who were anti-French and anti-Catholic. Riel had to flee to the United States and although he was never charged with Scott's murder, many feel that Riel's own execution after the Northwest Rebellion of 1885 was really retaliate: to repay one injury or wrong with another; to return like for like.retaliation for the incident with Thomas Scott.