Baraga answers the circular written in the Superintendency of Indian Affairs, Detroit, April 3, 1844. He received it May 18, 1844, therefore for him this is the day of its publication. He intends to abide by everything in the circular, but as a law cannot be in effect before its publication so that circular cannot be applied to his mission and school before May 18. By that date, Baraga's mission was already established nearly 7 months. The Circular, being a law, states that wherever a mission or school has been established, the interference of another sect cannot be permitted, otherwise that particular portion of the school fund which may have heretofore been paid, as well as all aid from the mechanics and farmers employed by the government will be withdrawn. To this Baraga replies: He established his mission 1. at a time when religious liberty was yet in its full rigor and 2. by the wish and request of the Indians. 3. He never interfered with the Methodist establishment because those coming now to his instructions had absolutely and repeatedly declared that they did not wish to join the Methodist Mission. They have always wanted to become Catholics. When Baraga came to L'Anse he was requested by them to remain permanently. If any other reports were given to Mr. Stuart, they were false. It is true that some Indians and half breeds that once belonged to the Methodist Mission, became Catholics, but even that was no interference with that Mission, as almost all these people belonged to the family of the deceased chief Bineshi who before he died recommended them to join the Catholic religion. Therefore they had not intended to remain Methodists. Concerning the carpenter for the Indians, Mr. Johnson, he made some sash for the Catholic Indians but he did not deliver them, before the Circular was published. Baraga demands that he deliver them, even if he should not be obliged to work for the Catholic Indians any longer. The American government cannot deprive these Indians of their mechanics as they have been promised in solemn treaty to have a blacksmith for 25 years whether Methodists or not. Had Baraga known that a law against free religion would come to L'Anse he would never have consented to come and would not have spent $800. for the mission. He cannot give it up now and go somewhere else. as Mr. Stuart desires. Anyhow his Indians would never join the Methodists. Baraga asks Mr. Stuart not to enforce a law backwards to a time when it did not exist. His Indians live peacefully now with the other Indians and he will always endeavor to keep them so. He hopes to see Mr. Stuart in Lapointe in August to discull this personally. P.S. Baraga is under the impression that only his coming to L'Anse which Mr. Stuart did not like, caused the Circular to be published a publication which is surprising in these free, liberal and happy states. :: III-2-h A.L.S. copy of English 4pp