Van den Broek has often desired to visit Bishop Lefevere in Detroit especially since Providence has not been pleased to make him their bishop. Since he is in charge of a mission more than 200 miles square and poor, he cannot do so. For 12 years he has travelled only to preach and administer the Sacraments. His savages have been obliged to retire about 40 miles from the church and this places a heavy burden on him to visit them every month. He had been in good health ever since he had been there until 4 weeks ago. He believes it was the cholera which struck in July. The danger of loss of the establishment was great since it was just the moment when he was to buy the land. By his death all could come to nothing for several envious ones would try all means to dispute the right of preemption with a successor. Six days ago he began to rally and he hopes within four days to be able to say Mass and soon to return to his poor savages. Those savages who were there when the Bishop visited there talk often of him and say that he is the only one who promised and then gave all that he had promised to them. He has built a small church which serves also for the school but which lacks many things because all are so poor. Every time he visits them he baptizes 30 or 40 "newcomers". His greatest sorrow is that he does not have rosaries, their greatest treasure. He hopes that the Bishop will have pity on them and send some by the bearer, Louis Harteaux . If the Bishop can spare any linens or ornaments Harteaux will bring them back with him. :: III-2-h A.L.S. French 2pp. 8vo.