sentences:  These appointments were by no means without political motivation, as Premier Oliver Mowat wished to assert the authority of the provincial Ontarian Government against the federal Dominion Government; he had chosen two Liberal allies to protect the province’s interests, keep the peace and oversee the enforcement of Ontarian law.Lyon moved west to take up residence in Alberton on the Rainy River.In December 1879 he was instructed by the provincial government to continue further north to Rat Portage, on the other side of the Lake of the Woods.