Brute acknowledges Rese's letter of Feb. 14, and the gift from Vienna. He hopes to use well the gift. He asks Rese about the best way to have the money sent, whether by way of Paris, or perhaps by Mr. Mark Frenaye, the friend of Father John Hughes at Philadelphia. Rese is to treat him as his student in matters of finance. He is determined to spend not before but after receiving the money. He has a cathedral, too grand for Vincennes where he froze last month. It is in need of plaster for the ceiling, a stove, etc. He cannot think of decorating it. A college and seminary on the 160 acres which he has near the entrance of the town along the Wabash, and some students for it are his first need. Yet this would be difficult and would require a society like the Jesuits. The diocese is a creation "en blanc" without priests, not like any other diocese. He is alone, without help and he himself is not sufficient for Vincennes and its surroundings. He needs a priest to live there whom he can send occasionally into the neighborhood which is very weak in supporting their men but which would absorb himself if he turned from his town which needs to be aroused from its long time coldness. May the Lord preserve him from such priests as Father Tervoran of whom he has learned too much. Despite his vast territories without priest he would rather take care of them alone than accept such men, even though the alternative is to have the sects, like the Methodists, fill in the vacancy. Rese recommended Tervoran but he would reject him if he knew what Brute has learned, in case he tried to return. Father Stephen Theodore Badin is still at Cincinnati and Brute will be very grateful for whatever Father Louis DeSeilles can do, Mr. Comparet has written from Fort Wayne that they have not had Mass for seven months. There are six to 700 Catholics there and from 1,500 to 2,000 along the canal. Father Francis Vincent Badin will give Rese his letter for Father A. Bernier. Brute will not give him any answer without Rese's participation, although Bernier was quite frank in telling of his changes. this letter is dated the first day of Lent, which is so feebly observed in the new world. Brute is observing it more strictly, with bread and butter often being the chief foods on Fridays. He has added only Wednesday to Friday for the lenten observance but would be very happy if the sacraments were frequented., P.S. He has made journeys of some 200 miles on horseback to Edgar County, Illinois where he has found many Catholics, and around Paris, 70 miles from Vincennes, he should visit every month or two. He should give them a priest but he has none. :: III-2-g A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.