Pierz after sending 3 petitions to Lefevere without an answer send a fourth one for the needs of his mission. With the close of navigation his communications with Mackinac are nearly gone and he is without supplies or money. The week before All Saint's day he went to Mackinac hoping to get money and other necessities; but he got only 3 furnaces for his school, and had to get a kitchen stove on credit. Not buying any provisions, he secured a net and caught some fish which he ate with potatoes. His old cook, a savage, is going to leave because he is not able to supply her with tea. Pierz planned to stay 4 months at Lacroix, 2 months at Middletown, the end of the winter at Arbre Croche in the several filial missions. At Lacroix, Pierz had to teach school twice a day so that the teachers can go fishing to feed their families. At Middletown, there is no school since the teachers had fish to feed with their families. Besides this he went to Middletown and Arbre Croche to take care of the sick. Pierz says, Mrs.Maria Anne Fisher at Arbre Croche complains about the failure to pay her at the time fixed. Meanwhile, Miss Tanner has made her jealous by boasting that she is well paid every quarter, vacations included. Mrs. Fisher plans to write to the Bishop for an increase in her salary. Pierz gave Mrs. Fisher 3 months pay during her vacation in 1844 and wishes to do the same in 1845 if she agrees to be Pierz's interpreter. Mrs. Fisher will translate his catechism for a couple more months. But the the food he can give her family of four would be his chickens and fruits from his garden at Arbre Croche. He wants her longer, since she is a good teacher. After finishing his catechism, Pierz hopes to start a prayer book for the savages, since Baraga's prayer book contained an insufficient number of prayers. The two teachers of the schools of Grand Traverse are doing well; but Pierz does not know if he could help them against the winter. Pierz rode a horse from Lacroix to Arbre Croche; but he lost his horse and had to pay for it. For 2 months, he was without money. He received $600 from Lefevere but he had to pay 4 teachers and feed and pay two maids. He also spent $200 traveling from mission to mission. He did not get any ehlp from Europe and the savages. He only got 6 boxes of sugar last spring and 5 sacks of wheat. There was no income from funerals, masses, etc. like in the cities. Because of his age, he demands sustenance and because of the good functioning of the schools, they require many things. Pierz asks Lefevere about the future prospects and when he can get ¾ of the savages included in the agreement to live in his mission. Further there is a great number of Catholic children scattered about, without education, and with irresponsible parents, which he thinks should be gathered in an orphanage. He has already given the orders to cut trees to build an orphanage next spring at Lacroix and at Arbre Croche. He takes the entire responsibility of the enterprise. Such an institution will form good American citizens. Bishop Frederick Rese received so much money and did nothing for the savages. Pierz also asks Lefevere to send him another priest. He asks pardon for the freedom with which he speaks. :: III-2-h A.L.S. French 4pp. 8vo.