Baraga who was in L'Anse on a mission during Spring, on returning June 16 found among many letters which arrived on the first boat on May 30, 4 letters from the Bishop written on Oct. 17, 1842-Feb. 10, 1843- April 10 and 20, 1843. Sault Ste. Marie had no postoffice last winter, therefore the delay. Letter of Oct. 17 contains the rights and powers which the Bishop conceded to his priests. Baraga promises to observe them strictly. He asks the Bishop's advice in one matter. He had been told by experienced missionaries at the beginning of his own missionary career to baptize all those who were converted to the Catholic faith from another Christian religion "conditionally" except those from the Anglican church. That practice was recommended, because generally the converts were baptized before, and, as it was said, the ministers had baptized with rosewater, or baptized only "in the name of the Lord Jesus" without naming the three persons of the Holy Trinity. He also regards these baptisms as private baptisms. Baraga has always baptized "conditionally" all Indian and half-breeds whom he converted. But it worries him, because in the controversy which St. Cyprian had with the Holy See Pope Stephen, Rome had decided that it is not necessary to rebaptize the heretics. Baraga thinks if they were not baptized with natural water or in the name of the Holy Trinity, the first baptism is void. Concerning persons or children who have been baptized privately, he rebaptized them in full form, because he could never be sure if the baptism was done according to all the rules of the Catholic Church. In the second letter, the Bishop had sent him the rules for Lent, but these came too late. The Bishop also asked him several questions which Baraga will answer on a separate sheet of paper. In the third letter the Bishop instructs Baraga to say a prayer to the Holy Ghost every day at Mass and to continue to do so until the meeting of the Council is over. But though the Council may be over, Baraga will say the prayer nevertheless. In the fourth letter the Bishop invites Baraga to assist at the dedication of the new German Church at Detroit under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary on June 29, and to give the sermon. He would accept with great joy, partly because he would love to assist at such a great solemnity after the monotony of his mission, partly because of his desire to see the Bishop, partly also because the 29th of June is very dear to him. It is the day on which he was born in 1797 and baptized. But it is absolutely impossible for him to be there, for there is no ship here which he could take. Even if a ship would come today or tomorrow as it is expected, he could not get away before June 22. The time would be too short to arrive in Detroit in time. Baraga is quite disappointed that the Bishop may not be able to visit Lapointe this year. He thanks him for paying his order to Mr. Crooks and he hopes that contributions from Austria will soon settle that amount. He intends to spend next winter at another place in his mission because he thinks his duty towards the mission demands this of him. But he does not like to leave Lapointe without a priest during his absence. He asks the Bishop to send Father Otto Skolla whether he knows French or not. Baraga hopes that he can spare him as Father George Godez from Austria may have arrived already in Detroit according to letters which he received from Europe. Father Godez could stay with the Germans in Detroit and Father Skolla could come to Lapointe. All the Bishop would have to pay is for the trip, everything else will be taken care of by Father Baraga. Father Skola is to be in Lapointe only while Baraga is absent, when he returns, Skola will go to some other part of the mission. Baraga asks the Bishop to keep the mission of Lake Superior in mind. It is very large and has some thirty false prophets. He is all alone in that vast district. The poor Catholic Indians desire greatly to have a priest and a confessor more often. He regards himself as made anathema for the brethern. :: III-2-h A.L.S. French and Latin 5pp.