Mr. John G. Shea of New York intends to publish shortly a little biography of the life and death of a holy Cceur d'Alene woman, with several edifying letters on the mission Indians of the Rocky Mountains. If applied to by your Lordship; he might give a great deal of information such as you may require.
With sentiments of profound respect and esteem, I have the honor to remain, etc.
St. Mary's Mission, August 30, 1866.° Reverend Father:
On my return from my mission among the Indians of the plains, upon the upper Missouri, or in the new Territories of Nebraska and Montana, I have visited the Mission of St. Mary among the Potawatomies. I have found my dear brothers in Jesus Christ in good health. There are four Fathers and ten Brothers of them. The mission stretches several hundred miles westward, and they water this vast vineyard of the Lord with their sweat, and cultivate it with the greatest zeal and with much success. Every year thousands of emigrants are coming and settling in this fertile and beautiful region. In the last four years, Reverend Father Dumortier has established twenty-four stations among them, and built four stone churches. He makes regular visits over a distance of i 5o miles every six weeks. The flourishing condition in which I have found the two Indian schools has filled me with consolation and joy. That for boys is under the care of the Brothers and contains i5o boarders, that for girls is under the maternal care of the respectable Ladies of the Sacred Heart and contains over ioo boarders. They are considered the two model schools of the State of Kansas. I propose to give you here an idea of the present position of St. Mary's and
5 From the French of the Linton Album, p. 99.