also no existence of any formal courts of law in the Red River Colony, as with the smoothing system in place, solutions outside of court were found. The Council of Assiniboia's first evolution happened in 1835, a year after the Hudson's Bay Company was officially granted ownership of the District of Assiniboia from the Selkirk estate. The Red River Settlement was divided into four separate districts, with a respective magistrate being delegated to each sector, as per Assiniboia's first judicature. It was created in likeness of Canada's Charter, giving the Governor and the council the ability to judge cases through a court of law. Quarterly petty courts began to be held, where each magistrate—with the presence of two constables—could judge petty offence cases including those about debts of less than 40 shillings. Another set of quarterly courts were held in the governor's residence for more severe cases, including debts over 40 shillings, as well as all cases of appeal. The same year, the council also instituted a 7.5% tariff on both the settlement's imports and exports. This went to compensate the costs of the court for implementing rules, regulations, and laws in order to keep tranquility among the colony. Prior to 1835, the constabulary in the Red River Settlement was appointed by Assiniboia's councillors, and they were tasked with routine duties. However, in 1835, the way the constabulary was organized shifted tremendously, as they were all dismissed and completely replaced with a group of 60 men who had all enlisted in the new Volunteer Corps style of authority. This change made the police force both more efficient as well as more disposable to the company. Every constable was required to take an oath that stated their dual positions as both part of the police force of the colony, as well as privates in a military corps. As stated by the Council of Assiniboia, the goal was "every thing connected with the good order or discipline of the Corps be as much as possible in union with and conformable to the practice and usages connected with such service in the British Army." To further empower this new authority, it was requested by the governor and the council that Assiniboia's military/police force be equipped with the guns and ammunition that was necessary to enforce both tranquility and respect. The officers in London were quick to approve the request, even though Alexander Ross—a