CHAPTER IV.
PLANS FOR A SIOUX MISSION.
An excursion among the Yanktons - Quarters assigned - Talks all day and wrestles with the enemy all night- Baptism of head chief - His experience with a miraculous medal -A good Indian-Repulses sectarians - Letter from chiefs - The Indian Bureau consulted in regard to formation of a mission - Letters to public men - Nomination of Indian agents - Statistics of mountain tribes.
St. Louis University, March 22, 1866. Major-General SULLY,
Headquarters District Upper Missouri, Clinton, Iowa:
Dear General.- I received your kind favor of the 28th ultimo. You will excuse me for not answering it sooner. I had to postpone it till the arrival of the Superior of the Board of the University, who has been on a long absence. He has now just returned and your propositions, concerning Indian missions, have been taken up for consideration.
Allow me to return my sincere thanks for the kind and favorable feelings you express in your letter toward the Catholic missions in general. Your suggestion of establishing a mission at Fort Berthold among the three united bands of Mandans, Aricaras and Grosventres, and among the Sioux near Fort Randall, was highly approved and will be looked to. Owing to our numerous establishments and the great want of personal means, the design could not immediately be acted upon. It will, I hope, be done before long and as soon as practicable and when the proper persons can be prepared for carrying out the views proposed and with the permission of the proper civil and military authorities.