CORRESPONDENCE OF REV. LOUIS BAROUX MISSIONARY APOSTOLIC OF MICHIGAN TO REV. M. J. DE NEVE SUPERIOR OF THE AMERICAN COLLEGE AT LOUVAIN TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH BY RT. REV. E. D. KELLY, D. D. AUXILIARY BISHOP OF DETROIT THe: ANN ARBOR PRESS INTRODUCTION 9 week on a sick-call to' some poor Indian in the parish of Rush Lake. In places the road would be impassible on account of floods or deep mud, or possibly snow drifts. In such emergency he would appeal to the farmers who always helped out generously. Food was furnished, fences opened up, and a new pathway found through the fields. Today the sick call which is made by auto, trolley or train, demands no such sacrifices and indeed by means of the telephone we may sometimes get a neighbor to make the call for us: if he be not too particular. But how erect that monument? That ques­ tion came into 111y mind again and again as the speedometer told the miles. It was a question that overshadowed that of "tire trouble." Like Bauquo's ghost, it would not down. Shortly af­ ter this Father Laugel of Detroit, placed in my hands the extensive correspondence which Father Baroux had sent to the Rev. Superior of Lou­ vain University, and which had been published in France in 1865. Immediately I said to myself, 10 INTRODUCTION why not translate this book into English, and with the proceeds, if there be any, erect a monu­ ment over the grave of this brave good priest­ hero? THl� TRANSLATOR. REV. LOUIS BAROUX CHRISTIANITY AND CIVILIZATION AMONG THE POTTAWATOMIES OF INDIANA AND MICHIGAN RIGHT REV. MONSIGNOR Dl� NEVE.. My D'EAR SUPERIOR: Since receiving your letter about two years ago, I have frequently reproached myself for my silence. I have keenly desired on the one hand to satisfy your wishes by writing the history of the tribe of the Pottawatomies con­ fided to my charge here in Michigan, but on the other hand it is distasteful to me to thus come out of my sweet retirement and exploit myself in the broad light of publicity. I believe, however, that duty on my part impels me to accede to your wishes and entrust I�DIA� :vlISSION 13 recall you here, and I appreciate the desires of your heart demanding fresh sacrifices in the in­ terest of a country so dear. In rendering this debt of gratitude I am only responding to the prayers of my Catholics who are happy because you have not forgotten them anel who desire that you always keep them in your remembrance. During your very short SOjourn 111 America, it was easy for you, Monsieur Ie Superior, to un­ derstand and perceive at a glance the needs of our Missions in Michigan. You are now able to see what an extensive and fruitful field ex­ pands itself before the zeal of the missionary who desires to consecrate his entire existence to the glory of Goel. With me, during two years, you have visited my dear Catholics of Silver Creek and :\ akanek-Kenbess. The piety of the Potta watemies has touched you; their lively faith has macle impressions upon you as I can see by your letter. It is necessary to understand the history of their persecutions, to sec face to face, AN EARLY the victims of the white man's double dealing, to consider well their patience and their saintly res­ ignation, in order to comprehend the sublimity and nobility of these newly made Christian souls. To accomplish properly the task you demand from me, time and reflection are necessary. Long drives and various occupations distract me in do­ ing a work so long expected by you. It is more than six years" since I first came among the Pottawatomies. I was young then. I arrived in America with impressions more or less erroneous concerning the Indians whom we call the Red Skins. When I came face to face with these children of the forest I experienced an indefinable sensation and one which can not be expressed in any sort of language. When we left Europe we had strange ideas of savages! Our imagination represented them as barbarians. I often laugh at the simplicity of those who in 1848 believed in my country that my Indians had devoured me. 'l'a a great many people in Europe Indian or Savage is always synonymous with INDIAN 11ISSION 17 officials to propagate error among these savages. These proselyters -?how a zeal worthy of a better cause, while we Catholics, doing little or noth­ ing, look on as the work of Satan progresses. Is it necessary for me to indict Catholicism? N o, a thousand times, no: that would be an in­ justice. For how long a time has not Europe generously sacrificed large amounts to the prop­ agation of the- faith and sent out missionaries in large numbers every day to carry the good news of the Gospel to the extremities of the world? Her generous sisterhoods have grasped the su­ preme wants of the Catholic world; they also have wished to associate themselves in this sub­ lime cause: they wish to share in the merits of the work of Gospel propagation: associations are formed under different names to furnish orna­ mentations and vestments to the poor churches of Europe and the missions of the world. One sees on every side in your country such apostolic zeal developing itself, shall T say, in ways that are indifferent? N o, that is not my intention, 18 AN EARLY but I grieve to see that with all our zeal and all our efforts we are not able to do justice to the work. Thousands of these savages are starving, and no one is found to give them the bread of life; they are thirsty and no one is found to give them the refreshing waters of salvation. The number of missionaries is increasing no doubt but what is that for the whole world! At my arrival in 1846 we had 700 priests in the United States and now in 1862 there are 2,600 but what is that number in a country as vast as Europe itself? France alone has more than 4,000 priests many of whom see with grief the sterility of their labors. They have beautiful churches, which are deserted while we in our missions have pious Note :_..:T'his prophecy of the future of the Indian seems impossible of fulfilment. He lacks the initiative, the balance and poise which centuries of civilization have given to the white man. In 1913 the number of Catholic priests in the United States ,had increased Ito 17,945 and the Catholic popu­ lation, according to Archbishop Ireland, to 18,000,000. INDIAN l\IlSSION 19 and fervent catholics but no churches. Wait pa­ tiently and courageously, I can see in the distance a brilliant horizon expanding. During the three years when we traversed together these forests of Michigan, we entertained ourselves with this subject; the remembrance is still precious to me "and I love to recall all we talked about at that time. Four years ago, as you remember, this part of Michigan which you have seen was él deep wilderness. You have traveled through these virgin forests for a whole week without finding any trace of civilization. The savages were the lords of the country. They then possessed all the vast territory in the South of Michigan and in the X orth of Indiana. White men coming from the old world de­ sired a still greater expansion of territory here. Their inordinate ambition could not be content with the possession of more than 300 miles of country and so the poor Indian had to submit to the law of greater force. l\Tight is right where INDIA� MISSION conscience by fasting and sacrifices but I am lost in the deep womb of night." I remark in the savages, whom I baptize, that they give evidence of their belief in the above formula of the Singwoa. Their religion has nothing fixed or permanent; they have confused ideas of the divinity; their perturbed souls are the victims of foul and strange illusions; their existence is miserable and worthy of compassion. Thus it is easy to understand how these men duped by a vagabond imagination conceive the desire of departing from this state of trouble and anguish. Pokagon took advantage of the treaty to de­ mand a priest and to stipulate that each year a sum of money should be paid to carryon a school and so provide for the civilization of his people. Some weeks after the conclusion of the treaty the agent brought a protestant minister to the Indians to teach them the Christian religion. But Pokagon who had asked for a Black Robe (Mak- 30 AN EARLY takonia) was mystified when he saw the preacher with his wife and family. "The agent does not understand," he says, "I asked for a Black Robe who could communicate with the Great Spirit and not for a man, who like myself, is engrossed with the cares of a family." The preacher wished to show that he preached the same Gospel, be­ lieved in the same Redeemer, and had the same religion. But Pokagon was not again to be in­ fluenced and seduced, and remained so inflexible in his opinion, that the preacher was not success­ ful. Furthermore Pokagon, intelligent enough to see that the rule worked both ways, in the case of himself and in the case of the minister with his family, said to him: "Since the savage is obliged to look out for the wants of his family, little time is left to minister to the wants of others. He has to bring up his children, to train them, to procure them situations, to overcome all obstacles; how under such circumstances is one fitted to give them religious instruction"? Pok­ agon finds it difficult to make the Indians under- AN EARLY only one deprived of spiritual succor and the way of Eternal life; it contains several hundred thous­ and savages between the Missions of the Rocky Mountains all deprived of spiritual consolation. Everywhere the priest travels he is received with open arms in the midst of these tribes, alas how sadly neglected and forgotten!" Since that time à little has been done; some few missionaries have been sent and some aid given; but it is how­ ever a poor mission and seems to excite scant sympathy. Pokagon seeing himself delivered from the presence of the vexatious preacher, journeyed to Detroit to request a black-robe of the Catholic bishop. His lordship listened with pleasure and sweetness to the message of the savage and promised he should not be forgotten. The chief having returned awaited impatiently for two years the arrival of the missionary. The people began to murmur and reproach the old chief for having dismissed the protestant preacher. Poka .. gon wearied by these reproaches again stood by 3+ AN EARLY choice of Monseigneur was a benediction to these poor people. Pokagon, worthy of such favor by reason of his great soul, his perseverance and untiring ef­ forts to procure a black robe, quickly understood the merit and virtue of Fr. Deseille. When he sees this man of prayer consecrating his every moment to the instruction of his people, when he sees him devoting his days and nights with per­ sistent zeal to the salvation of souls, and spend­ ing hours in communicating with God by prayer, he fully realizes that the young priest is an am­ bassador of the Great Spirit with a divine com­ mission to convert his people. Wrought up by the zeal of the missionary he wishes to become in some way his coadjutor. Although of an ad­ vanced age, he learns with avidity the prayers and essential truths of religion and in some weeks he is able to give instructions to the more ignor­ ant and to assist in any way possible the efforts of the missionary in preparing the Indians for baptism. His faith and zeal were edifying, for AN EARLY could abstain no longer without danger of death, he was permitted a little nourishment .and the proportion increased each day as he revived. It would take too long to. enumerate the thousand absurdities which obtained among them. These savages regenerated and reclaimed to civilization by Father Deseille afford the world a history worthy of the first ages of the Church. Here in the forests one hears the sacred hymns of the Church, sounding to heaven; here is that heavenly dew, grace which has fallen on those hearts so lately ferocious and has germinated new life and fructifying virtue. How beautiful is this Church ever ancient and ever new! In it we find the principle of life which does not change; or it is the tree in the branches of which the world may find shelter. Exposed to the tempests of the wicked, it gains strength and durability by storms. Father Deseille, as yet quite young, was al­ ready destined for heaven and was not to enjoy here below the fruits of his labors. His life, as 40 AN EARLY oped into a reality. Two presidents are in power, and 200,000 people have been ruined in the South . . Fatigued by the continuation of his painful ministry, heart-broken by so much iniquity, Fr. Deseille soon weakened under a fatal malady. Pressed by the severity of his trouble he con­ sulted a physician in South Bend who did not diagnose his case properly and administered to him a very violent remedy. Father Deseille soon comprehended his condition, and said to Mr. Mousse his interpreter: "The doctor has given me a fatal dose of medicine; send to Chicago and Logansport, Indiana, for two priests to give me the last sacraments." He asked for two priests thinking that. the chances of disappointment would be less. His desire to see a brother priest was so great that whenever he heard a slight noise he would say: "See if that is a priest who is coming." Day and night he repeats the same questions to those who watched by his side ex­ pecting each instant the approach of death. Their hearts were torn with fear and hope; they were INDIAN MISSTO� 4I discouraged at seeing death hovering so near by. Finally after many hours of anxiety the Indians reappeared at the mission; they had only heart­ rending news. One of the priests whom they visited was sick with a similar disease, the other had departed for a distant mission, the time of his return being uncertain. This was a new cross which God has reserved for our saintly mission­ ary; there was no hope to receive the last conso­ lations of a dying Christian; he who was most generous of spiritual consolation to a thousand souls approaches death after the manner of his adorable Master in the Garden of Olives. with­ out anyone to console him or to aid him. Our Lord touched by the saintly submission of the dying man inspired him to give a final mark of his love by drawing himself to the foot of his rude altar. Prostrate before the tabernacle he long delayed, that his dying heart might still farther articulate to his Saviour. The angels without doubt admired the ravishing spectacle of our young missionary. pausing for the mo- ment to prostrate himself before an altar erected in the solitude of the forests. His poor chil­ dren, who would soon be orphans, were grouped about him. They were in consternation and their oppressed hearts could not contain their grief so vivid and so overwhelming. Their sighs and tears gave evidence of a deep and overflowing emotion. They see for the last time their Black Robe prostrate before the altar, praying for them and recommending them to the Great Spirit. Ah! what must have been the fervor of the prayers of that heart burning with love! This last prayer was one of ecstasy so that those who were pres­ ent could not understand how he could kneel so long. His love and his faith sustain him. Before quitting this earth and separating himself from those who are weeping for him, he is doubtless asking for a thousand favors and pouring forth prayers which only the affection of a father could suggest. Finally he raises himself a little and throws a last look at his people, whose eyes, dimmed with tears, are immovably fixed upon INDIAN �IISSION 43 this august anel unusual sight; he blesses them and falls before the altar. This great effort brought a collapse and our saintly missionary after some moments carried into heaven his life of grace and prayer September 26, 1837. I t is utterly impossible to depict the scene of desolation, or the mourning and grief of the unfortunate savages. They have lost him who was more dear to them than the world, a father who loved them with the affection of a child. His death was a frightful misfortune; they could not think of the possibility of his loss. They were yet in a state of delusion, they could not think he was dead, they prayed and wept, not daring to come near the remains. The day fol­ lowing, the news of his death had spread and many people came up from South Bend to ob­ tain information. They found the Indians grouped around the body in deep consternation. but none of them had interfered with it in any way. INDIAN MISSION 45 tamed to the rigor of winter in these parts, be­ came benumbed; but I do not complain; on the contrary I think God has accorded me a signal favor in selecting me as the successor of that saintly missionary. More than two years afterwards they moved the remains of Father Deseille into the new Church which was constructed a short distance from the other. I had the consolation to both see and touch the body which had been the cause of so many benedictions. I passed many hours contemplating this figure still eloquent in the silence of the tomb. The body was well. pre­ served; death without its retinue of decomposi­ tion seemed to favor him, that we might have a more ahiding faith. The sight affected me to such a degree that it will always remain with me as a most forceful remembrance. Divine Providence however had pity on these poor people. Soon another priest was sent to them, a Father Petit, a young man of merit who had given up a brilliant calling in his own coun- AN EARLY are bitterly opposed to the Catholics. My good Indians by the grace of God have resisted all their efforts, but they have no resources for school and church, nothing to support their priest, while the protestant ministers are paid generously for their work among the Indians. Pokagon wished a Black-Robe; the protestant minister had been dismissed with his wife and family. The Indians were to suffer. The gov­ ernment would fulfil its obligations, but it will be on the condition that the Indian will adopt the religion which the agent wishes to impose on him; that he should become a Methodist or a Presbyterian, it mattered little provided he dis­ continued his Catholicity. Note :-We can see from the above "what fallacy it 1S to say that religious training or education is an after­ thought or a modern department of education. Why even the poor Indian, dug up out of the forest so to speak, demanded religious education 'even as an irufant asks for milk! Religious education begins when the mother te,aches her child to pray. Religion is not a theory, but a condition which should be made to AN EARLY much! I ! God alone knows the sufferings of my heart !" "Then the Black-Robe chief, the Prophet Told his message to the people, Told the purport of his mission, Told them of the Virgin Mary And her blessed Son the Saviour, How in distant lands and ages, He had lived on earth as we do, How He fasted, prayed and labored; How the] ews the tribe accursed, Mocked Him, scourged Him, crushed Him, How He rose from where they laid Him Walked again with His disciples And ascended into Heaven." "I will send a Prophet to you A Deliverer of the nations, Who shall guide you and shall teach you, Who shall toil and suffer with you. I f you listen to His counsels, You will multiply and prosper; If His warnings pass undcedcd, You will fade away and perish." Hiawatha. The following selection from the "Memoirs of Bishop Bruté by Bishop Bayley" will be found of historical service. The book is to be found in the library of S t. Mary's College Notre Dame, Ind. TRANSLATOR. INDIAN MISSION SI "From Chicago we went around the end of Lake M ichigan to the river St. Joseph and the m1SS1On of the Rev. Mr. De Seille at the Indian Village of Pokagon, situated just outside our diocese and in that of Detroit. This mission was established many years ago by the venerable Mr. Badin. l\Ir. (Father) De Seil�e has lived for three or four years at Pokagon's village. He has there, and in the neighborhood, more than ó�o Catholic Indians baptized. A large number of their huts are built around the Chapel, which is constructed of bark with a Cross erected be­ hind and rising above it, and filled with rudely made benches. The Indians begin and end their work without hammer, saw or nails; the axe be­ ing their only implement, and bits of skin or bark serving to fasten the pieces together. The room of the missionary is over the Chapel, the floor of the one forming the ceiling of the other. A ladder in the corner leads to it, and his furni­ ture consists. as did the prophet's, of a table and chair. and a heel. or rather a hammock s�vung- on INDIAN ':'lISSION 53 acres of land attached to it, and the small lake named St. Mary's, make it a most desirable spot, and one soon I hope to be occupied by some pros­ perous institution. Rev. Mr. Badin has trans­ ferred it to the Bishop on the condition of his assuming the debts, a trifling consideration com­ pared with the importance of the place. On Friday morning we left for the Tippe­ canoe river and the village of Chickakos. The Indians had heard of our coming, and had sent some of their number in advance to ascertain our movements. They gave notice of our approach to others who had camped out a few miles to wait for the Bishop, and make a more worthy escort for him. The Chief Chickakos was there and directed their movements. Coffee had been prepared at a small village only three miles from the principal one. We dismounted, and sitting on mats of woven stra w partook of their kind cheer. Then we crossed the river, and soon ar­ rived. On our way Mr. De Seille pointed to a poor mot her sitting on the bank with an infant INDIAN �lISSIOX 55 woman born of an Indian mother, a truly excel­ lent and deserving person. She is 70 years of age and yet preserves a strength and activity truly wonderful. She followed us on horseback, and was very ready to assist us. On our arrival all assembled at the Chapel, and Mr. De Seille introduced me to them as their Bishop, the head in these parts of all the other 'Robes Noires' (Tllack Robes), the name 'which they have given to the Catholic Priests, or Jesuits, for it is all one to them. He added that I had no one above me, on earth, but the Great 'Robe Noire' beyond the high seas, the Chief of all the Christians, in the world, meaning the Pope. He said that every · Robe ?\ oire' that would come to them must come as sent by the Bishop, and then be received; oth­ erwise they should have nothing to do with them. The Chief Chickakos said a few words in reply to show that they were well pleased, and prom­ ised that they would meet together the next morning to give a more special expression to their feelings. Accordingly on Sunday morning, INDIA� l':\lISSlO� 57 Mass six children "vere baptized by me. M y 111- struction was on prayer, and the gifts of the Holy Ghost. �I r. De Seille told me that he had ob­ served in them all such a deep sense of the emi­ nent privilege of prayer, and the dispositions it required, such as are not found, as often as they should be, among the best instructed Christians of more favored countries. I saw most unequiv­ ocal evidence of it in their behavior in the Chapel, and the affecting, earnest way in which they lis­ tened to the instructions, repeated their prayers, and sang their hymns, and I was very much edi­ fied. Of the 16 that I confirmed, one was an old Chid who since his baptism had led such an innocent life, that he had not been observed to commit any fault, or give way to impatience, or any other imperfection. \Ve slept on the benches of the Chapel and sorne of the straw from the floor, wrapped up in our great coats after the manner of the good Father De Seille. Our food was boiled corn, fish, venison, and wild turkey, minced together INDIA� �nSSIOX 61 ice, more worthy of a tiger than of a human be­ ing, satiated for a time, finally impelled the Gen­ eral to seize the savages who had lately managed to escape. The soldiers ran through the forests with a fury worthy of the General whom they doubtless looked upon as their model. They suc­ ceeded in seizing a great number of prisoners whom they confined in the church. These people, condemned to a forced exile, had before them the prospect of a terrible journey. The General had al ready made known to them his hostile disposi­ tions and the soldiers doubly irritated by reason of their escape took revenge on them by mal­ treatment. This Church where they had passed happy days in prayer and in singing the praises of Gael. resounded now to their cries and lamen­ tations. There they were herded in shambles and faced death. The Indians at other times so ter­ rible in their vengeance now submit themselves to all these outrages with Christian resignation. They recalled that vengeance pertained to God 66 AN EARLY acted the part of domestic and nurse for him, doing the cooking, chopping the wood, and per­ forming the most menial services. What a beau­ tiful spectacle it is to see these two saintly bish­ ops giving in an irreligious country an enviable example of humility and charity. A great injustice had been committed: the Indians had been dispersed; the crime was con­ summated; vengeance was reserved to the Lord; it has not come unexpectedly and today we find it most severe and terrible. Pokagon in spite of certain conditions in the treaties of 1827 and 1833 found himself the tar­ get of persecutions from the Government agents. He had reserved the right to remain in the coun­ try with his tribe but they wished to intimidate him and came upon him several times with an armed force to drive him West. The Govern­ ment often regretted having made any concession to the chief and so had recourse to corruption. They offered $50.00, that is to say, 250 francs, to every person who would succeed by persuasion, 68 AN EARLY faithfully ever since he had known Him. His desires were soon gratified as God called him from this earth on July 8th, 1842, at the age of 62 years. It is a little more than six years since I had the pleasure of coming among the Indians. Mis­ sronaries had stopped in their midst from time to time. Sundays they congregated at the house of prayer hut there was a dense ignorance on fundamental points of religion because of this irregularity. During several months of the year they were absent hunting and fishing. I can easily see how necessary it is for the Indians to live a more consistent and regular life, to elim­ inate. their vagabondage, to put off and avoid their grotesque habits, in a word to put off the old man and put on the new. If I had certain resources it would be easy for me to carry out all my plans, but I can not command resources, superior to those by which I am surrounded. I have neither the feathers, nor the face, nor the skins of animals for apparel, but in every other 7° AN EARLY "Why is it that all you Catholics are so poor ?" "Do you not know," I said to her, "that the king­ doms of this world with their riches belong to the devil, who offered them to Our Lord if He would adore Him? It seems that the devil loves you in a special manner, since he has shared so generously with you, and in your vain glory, you despise us." But it does not follow, Monsieur le Superieur, that I was destitute of pretention and ambition in my little Indian palace. In the long winter evenings when alone, poking the fire, I built cas­ tles. I formed a thousand different projects; I cut down the woods, I cultivated the virgin land, I obtained magnificent harvests, I built a Church. My Indians, influenced by the progress around them exchanged their feathers and skins of wild animals for hats and boots and shoes. I presume you will laugh at my dreamy reveries, but can a poor man keep from building castles in the air when he is alone through the long winter even­ ings? What else can he do? IXDIA� �lISSION 71 And yet I never lost courage, but al ways hoped against hope. M y Indians possessed a certain number of horses which were of little or no use to them. These horses ran wild so to speak in the forests. "Why do you not exchange these horses," I said to them, "for oxen and wagons. Why not utilize these animals, which frequently die in the woods from hunger during the rigors of winter or are stolen from you." This proposition was welcomed at the camp of Pinouwane, the son of the old chief and soon the general assent of the tribe was given. The feathery headgear rapidly disappeared, they began to see destitution at their doors and that their only resource consisted in the cultiva­ tion of the ground as the whites were doing. I organized societies and for the first time the sav­ age threw away his gun for the ax and the plow. I had not accomplished a great deal but I did not stand as an idle spectator of this progressive movement. The Black-Robe must everywhere give the 74 AN EARLY which took them by surprise, gave them a sub­ missive appearance in Church, but on leaving they abandoned themselves to their usual light­ heartedness. The idea of making them look like Europeans appealed to them to be so novel, strange and comical that I could not refrain from breaking out into laughter and forming more or less grotesque notions as to the issue. On the day appointed my new gentlemen pre­ sented themsel ves in grand civilian dress ; you would say "with the ease and good manners of a Parisian, with the air of high society." You will think it more than exaggeration. They were em­ barrassed, ashamed; they laughed freely at their own awkwardness and ridiculed one another with that French gaiety and naïveness you so well un­ derstand. This first day, the ensemble seemed a masquerade by reason of its costumes. I shall never forget it. It has been associated with so much amusement, we have all laughed over it with such light hearts, that the day is never re­ called except with pleasure. They soon took to INDIAN MISSION 79 them, and you are convinced with me that their judgment and intelligence are much superior to the intellectual faculties of those brainless crea­ tures whose only merit consists in hawking com­ monplace literature. The savage ignores soph­ istry, he does not study a vain philosophy, but he has a sense of right, a sane judgment, a facile imagination and a desire of conducting himself worthily in the sight of God, whom he knows. In a word such is my fixed opinion after all these years passed among the Indians. The savage has developed into a Catholic of esteem and hon­ or whilst your reformers have degraded them­ selves and shamed their human kind. When you have assembled the savages to hold counsel, have you not admired, as well as I, with what decorum and what dignity they gave their opinion without ever interrupting each other or deviating from the question? In our councils how many times does it not occur that we Euro­ peans ramble and deviate from the point. The savage can serve us in this and many other ways 82 AN EARLY Michigan. He allowed each family to choose its own portion of land, to build its cabin, and to live there in peace. The aged chief not foresee­ ing any difficulty, did not give any title to them before his death. The son of the chief at the instigation of a state agent, his neighbor, deter­ mined to force the savages to pay him an annual rent or else to pay the price of their supposed property. The Indians, who had always believed themselves owners of this little patrimony, were not willing to listen to those demands which seemed to them unj ust. The troubles became more and more serious until wearied by these continual annoyances, they resolved to move eight leagues farther away to N ekanekkenbess. They chose Singowa for their new chief. They bought new property and each family received a portion of land with its title which left them safe from all persecution. This Indian mrssion was thus broken up. Two-thirds of the Pottawatomies left in 1851. At that same time some hundred or so Irish INDIAN MISSION settled in my mission, as if for a compensation to replace the Catholics who were forced to de­ part. I take care not to neglect the poor Indians so shamelessly driven away; I visit them fre­ quently to encourage and console them. The wife of the old chief Pokagon also lived In my Indian village. Like him she was bap­ tized and preserved her first fervor to the end. 111 her last illness she prepared for death with the 1110st edifying resignation. I, myself, was ill at the time. Several times during the day she sent to see if it were possible for me to rise and RO to hear her confession and administer the last sacraments. The evening of her death, message after message was sent. I was unable to refuse such ardent entreaties. I was so weak that it was necessary to help me to get into a cart. I lay down upon a little straw and thus proceeded to the presence of the dying woman. After receiv­ ing the last sacraments and thanking me she told me she was glad to leave this world and join those who had preceded her. INDIAN