eventually the government would end the monopoly that had been created out of the fur trade, and therefore he saw little gain in the advancing in the company. Politics Political career On 9 December 1858, Mactavish was appointed the role of Governor of Assiniboia. When he arrived in Red River, he was reported as having energy, determination, and good mental character. Mactavish believed that the political realm of his title was not a position that he would excel in. Mactavish felt that the position as a "stoker in hell" would have been more appealing than Governor of Assiniboia. Mactvish viewed political life as disgusting, and was "anxious" for the appointment to be over. Mactavish was very open and clear in his dissatisfaction with the job. Due to his Métis wife, and his career in the HBC and the fur trade, Mactavish had Métis sympathies, and in the political climate of the time, siding with the Métis would create conflict. Further, the HBC was an unpopular administration at the time, because the rising popular interest was in the annexing of Red River, and Mactavish just simply did not want to deal with it. Regardless of his hatred for his job, Mactavish performed well, and created a great deal of positivity in the settlement. He made many changes in the settlement, including the implementation of a semi-weekly mail, and developing Fort Garry as a central point of business, which, in turn, increased the importance of the settlement. In order to adhere to George Simpson's wishes, William was given the title of Governor of Rupert's Land when Simpson died. When he took on this new role, he was not as reluctant as he was when he was moved to Red River. This was because of his Métis sympathies, and his enjoyment and skill for the career in the fur trade, and the fact that it was less of a political role. At that point, then, it meant that Mactavish was the governor of both Assiniboia and Rupert's Land, which created a clash in his ideologies. During his time as Governor as Assiniboia, he was unsuccessful on two accounts. The first being his inability to build a British military force for Assiniboia; and the second being his inability to turn the small remaining support for the HBC administration, into a larger widespread support system. However, that being said, he was still well-respected, especially in