Baraga received the Bishop's letter of March 26 on June 11 and thanks him for all he has sent. He regrets that his little Indian primer is printed with so many mistakes. It is almost useless: there are hardly five or six pages with less than 14 mistakes on them. It is the printer's fault. Baraga is quite surprised about what the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda demands from the Indian missionaries. It astonishes him that a Congregation, otherwise so wise and respectful, could now demand things so badly calculated. It is through the instigation of Father Thavenet, who believes Baraga to be a heretic, that they have given such orders. According to the Bishop's advice, Baraga will write to the Archbishop of Baltimore, but hardly knowing his name, he must wait until the Bishop informs him of it. The order is injudicious because either the Propaganda has a person who understands the Indian language or it has not. If it has, then it is sufficient to send the Indian books to them, which contain the catechism and all other doctrines taught to the Indians. That person can examine them and find out for himself if they are orthodox or not. If they do not have such a person and if they demand that Baraga must translate the books, which he wrote in the Indian language for the Propaganda, then they make him his own judge. He could write the translation as he wishes and conceal any heresies, the Propaganda would not know the difference, if they do not have a person who knows the Indian language. In any case, the command that the missionaries must make a translation of their books, is useless and injudicious and consequently not binding. The superiors of the Propaganda were probably never on pagan missions, that is why they give such orders. Baraga has a tender conscience and great respect for Rome, but in this case, he does not feel obliged to obey. It is a case of "collision of duties" and he must decide for his duties to the mission. These are so important, strenuous, and numerous that he would have no time for anything else. To make a translation of the Indian books would mean neglect of his duties as a missionary. There are three Indian books: two were printed in Paris and one he wrote last winter and which he will try to have printed in Green Bay. To translate these three books word for word into Latin, comprising about 715 pages, would be a long, difficult and weary task. Here is the collision of duties: on one side, his duties to his mission which his conscience recognizes as important, on the other side, the duty the Propaganda imposes on him which his conscience recognizes as useless. Another person, less occupied, can make a translation just as well if he knows the language, if not, he cannot be a judge. This doctrine is absolutely Catholic. Baraga admits that in the beginning through the inadvertence of the interpreters a few errors were found in the Indian catechism. But these errors were thoroughly corrected even before one book was given to the Indians. If even one error against the Catholic religion can be found now, Baraga wants to be burned publicly with his books. He will write the same thing to the Archbishop in Baltimore also asking him to send his letter on to Rome. Baraga wants a catalogue of all the Catholic clergy in the United states if possible still this year. About Father Francis Pier, he cannot say anything yet. He wrote to him in the Spring when the first boat went to Grand Portage, but he has not received an answer., P.S. Baraga asks the Bishop why he has not said anything about the priest who is to come to Frond du Lac. He wants to know the Bishop's sincere opinion. :: III-2-g A.L.S. French 4pp.