Brother Joseph asks the Bishop to send him the money as soon as possible as he is pressed on all sides. He thinks he could give an order on the Bishop to Mr. Mason for the sum that he owes him. He also asks the Bishop to talk to the new agent about the 6 years' arrears. He thinks the Bishop knows that for 7years his Indians have received nothing and as they are so poor this would alleviate their misery. Mr. Robert Stuart had been hostile to them because they were Catholics. Since the old chief bought this land from the government, they have been mistreated; when the old Chief Leopold Pokagan had the reserve near Niles, Michigan he left $17,000, which he could draw on, with Governor George Porter, if he is not mistaken in the name. The old Pokagan died soon after and now no one knows anything about the $17,000; for 7 years they have not received their yearly payments. He hopes that the new agent, being a Democrat, will be just and liberal and that it will be possible for them to get their past due payments. This would enable them to buy several yoke of oxen and some farm implements and to help him build a church because the one they now have is only a hole, unworthy of the majesty of God. The Indians have also asked Brother Joseph to ask the agent to come to their village next autumn to pay them because in the last two years everyone bothered them so they did not know where to turn. Furthermore since they receive only $5.00 per person, it is hardly worth the trouble to lose 7 or 8 days and to incur the expense. Brother Joseph has tried to reunite the Potwatomies but he has not succeeded. Brother Joseph thinks if the agent pretended to threaten them, he could reunite them. In a post script he gives his address as Silver Creek, Cass County but would rather have mail sent to Notre Dame du Lac. A.L.S. French 3pp. 8vo.