palisade, fortified with bastions, to shelter us from the incursions of the Blackfeet, whom we daily expect to visit us. Our confidence in God is not weakened; we take the precautions which prudence dictates, and remain without fear at our post.
A young Sinpoil' has just arrived in our camp, and these are his words: " I am a Sinpoil, my nation is compassionate. I have been sent to hear your words, and learn the prayer you teach the Flatheads. The Sinpoils desire also to know it, and to imitate their example." This voting man proposes to pass the winter in our camp, and return in the spring to his own nation, to sow among them the seedy of the gospel.
The whole Flathead nation converted - 4oo Kalispels baptized -eighty Nez Percés, seven Cceurs d'Alcne, many Kootenais, Blackfeet, Snakes and Bannocks -the Sinpoils, the Chaudieres, who open their arms to its, and eagerly ask for Fathers to instruct them; the earnest demands from Fort Vancouver on the part of the Governor [Doctor McLoughlin], and of the Reverend AIr. Blanchet, assuring us of the good desires and dispositions of a great number of nations, ready to receive the gospel-in a word, a vast country, which only awaits the arrival of true ministers of God, to rally round the standard of the cross - behold the beautiful bouquet, Reverend Father, which we have the happiness of presenting you at the close of 1841. It is at the foot of the crucifix that you are accustomed to ask counsel of heaven for the welfare of the nations entrusted to your children. Our number is very far from sufficient for the pressing and real wants of this people. The Protestants are on the gtci vi ve. Send us then some Fathers and Brothers to assist us, and thousands of souls will bless you at the throne of God for all eternity.
s A tribe of the Salishan family is evidently meant, whose name is commonly spelled Cinq Poils or Sans Puells - both French transliterations of a native name.