The Abbot has been asking for information but the work of building a little home and other things which have engaged them since their arrival has kept them occupied. Today, he and his brother Dominic, moved into their house, built almost alone by Dominic and, he takes the recreation of writing to the Abbot. He begins by locating and bounding the Territory and telling its name, the institutions and nature of Indian reservations and the probable change from Indian territory into the State of Oklahoma at some future date. Then he discusses the government of the Indian tribes on the reservations. He details, the officers, the courts, and the assemblies of the tribes. His visit to the capital of the Choctaws and his interview with the governor, a man of 72 years. The Choctaws are not civilized. He speaks of his visit to the school conducted by the Jesuits in Kansas. He speaks also of the difference between the non-Catholic Indians and those Catholic, although after 30 years the missionaries are still trying to eliminate polygamy. Yet the Benedictines have some hope of success in so far as they are working on the type of material used by them since their foundation. He says that there are 36 tribes with a population of 72,000 souls, not counting the nomad Indians. He mentions the Osage and Pottawotamies as Catholic and mentions those which are partly Catholic but lack religious instruction. There are about 5,000 Catholics. Robot has chosen one of the villages, Atoka for his headquarters. This is among the Choctaws and near the Chickasaws. Those who have education are noticable by their manner. The dress and food is nearly that of the white man. He says that the religious condition of the Indians is bad. He points out the lack of priests, schools, churches, or other Catholic establishments. He indicates the causes of this neglect, chiefly in the lack of bishops and of neighboring clergy. In this void, the Protestants have worked. He tells of his experience when he went on the first Sunday of Advent to say Mass for the Chickasaws and met the Governor and the sheriff. Protestantism is dead, he says. The Indians want schools and teachers which Catholics can offer. But to build the school, they will have to face the Protestants who are there and are opposed to Catholics. With 50,000 francs he could do much, but he is alone without means in the midst of enemies. Yet he has opened one at Atoka, small and poor. He and his brother are well despite the fatigues and lack of nourishment. He hopes soon to visit the Commanches who are not yet civilized and who still scalp people. However, they have not returned from the chase yet. The winter has been mild and there has been a lack of rain. Unless they receive help they will have to leave the missions before the end of the year. Robot has confidence in the intercession of Father John Muard. The alms of prayer is more important than the alms of money. He has confidence in the generosity of France. In the James Alphonsus McMaster Papers :: I-2-b Copy of L. French 12pp. 8vo.