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Scope and Contents Father Baraga is very glad to hear of the happy return of the Bishop from Europe. He hopes that all the Bishop's affairs have been arranged with the best success, and that the Bishop will visit at Lake Superior next year. He sends him the episcopal seal which the Bishop had ordered him to have made with a press which he bought in Vienna. If the Bishop has some interesting news, especially about Rome, he would like to get it before the end of the navigation on Lake Superior. The medals in the...

Scope and Contents Baraga received the Bishop's letter of March 26 on June 11 and thanks him for all he has sent. He regrets that his little Indian primer is printed with so many mistakes. It is almost useless: there are hardly five or six pages with less than 14 mistakes on them. It is the printer's fault. Baraga is quite surprised about what the Sacred Congregation of Propaganda demands from the Indian missionaries. It astonishes him that a Congregation, otherwise so wise and respectful, could now demand...

Scope and Contents Baraga is quite distressed about his money. He is building a new church and he implores the Bishop to let him have the money which is his, according to all rights. He includes a letter from his agent in Triest, Italy, Mr. J.P. Suppautschitsch, who informs Baraga of all the money that was sent to him from Europe since his return to America. But Baraga has received only about $255 - which Father Vincent Badin has sent him through Mr. William Brewster. Baraga demands now from the Bishop the...

Scope and Contents Baraga read with great emotion the Pastoral Letter of the Bishop. He is anxious to meet him and receive his episcopal blessing, but as he cannot leave his mission, he begs the Bishop to give him the blessing in spirit when he reads these lines. Baraga also declares with God as a witness that he will render obedience to the Bishop in everything pertaining to his holy office. He thinks that obedience is the soul of spiritual life. Then Baraga cites in Latin 7 phrases about the virtue of...

Scope and Contents Father Baraga received the Bishop's letter of August 21 on September 16. It has given him great consolation to learn of the zeal of the Bishop's congregation during the 10 days retreat, but it grieves him to think that his own little congregation, especially the Canadians, make such little efforts to obtain the Indulgences which the Holy Church offers and of which he preaches so often. The Indians are much more zealous. Almost all of those who go to Holy Communion have fulfilled the...

Scope and Contents A treaty has been made and signed yesterday in Lapointe in which $2000 are to be allowed for the schools. Robert Stuart, the Indian agent who made the treaty, came to see Baraga and gave him hope that something might also be done for a Catholic school. Baraga wrote to him in the morning the enclosed letter. Stuart answered that Baraga should write to his Bishop about it - Baraga encloses also that letter. He asks the Bishop to represent this matter to the Secretary of War in Washington,...

Scope and Contents Baraga acknowledges the receipt of 2 boxes of beautiful candles, and a box of crackers. He is very happy about it. Baraga apologizes for having charged $400 to the Bishop's account, but he is sure that he will receive the money next fall from Europe. If the Bishop was unable to pay the money, it does not matter because the Company does not lose anything, Baraga will pay the interest. There were many sick this fall. Within the last 19 days 4 children died and 3 men. Two of the children were...

Scope and Contents Enclosed are the details of Baraga's little mission. If the Bishop should wish any other information Baraga will do his best to satisfy him. But he cannot give reports about any other mission as for instance Father Francis Pierz's, because he was never in that part of the country, but he hopes that it will become a very interesting mission. Father Otto Skolla should remain at least another year in or around Detroit to learn French properly, because he cannot be of use to Baraga without the...

Scope and Contents Baraga who was in L'Anse on a mission during Spring, on returning June 16 found among many letters which arrived on the first boat on May 30, 4 letters from the Bishop written on Oct. 17, 1842-Feb. 10, 1843- April 10 and 20, 1843. Sault Ste. Marie had no postoffice last winter, therefore the delay. Letter of Oct. 17 contains the rights and powers which the Bishop conceded to his priests. Baraga promises to observe them strictly. He asks the Bishop's advice in one matter. He had been told by...

Scope and Contents Baraga is at present with all his Indians from L'Anse in Lapointe, who came to receive their payment. He is greatly disturbed that his Indians of Lapointe have not yet received a missionary since he left. They desire one so much, that he promised to spend every summer with them until they will have a priest. He wrote to Bishop John Martin Henni of Milwaukee to send them one as soon as possible. The Indians of Grand Portage and Fond du Lac, who are also here are even more to be pitied. Baraga...

Scope and Contents Father Baraga is again in need of $300. and asks the Bishop for it. It will be the last time for the next two years. To build a settlement is always expensive in the beginning. Mr. Crooks, the president of the Fur Company, would like to have all accounts settled before he leaves, but he gives Father a term of 10 months for the payment. Baraga spoke with Mr. Robert Stuart about the Circular. Mr. Stuart hopes that it will not affect the Catholic Mission in L'Anse and that the blacksmith may...

Scope and Contents Baraga arrived in Lapointe June 28, where he received only the Bishop's letter of May 4; the other letter got lost. He was instructed about an error he made in an important case, both by the Bishop and by a letter of Mgr. Power of Toronto. Baraga had not known the rules of Pope Benedict XIV and Pope Clement XIII. He wrote a long letter to Monseigneur and hopes that he is satisfied. When the Bishop comes on his visit, Baraga intends to discuss that matter in detail with him. He also...

Scope and Contents Baraga wants to have pamphlets printed about temperance as he intends to form temperance societies in his 4 missions. They should be made according to the encloses formulas and the Bishop should bring them along when he comes to L'Anse. In 1846 he will be in L'Anse and during June and July, the rest of the year he intends to divide between Lapointe, Fond du Lac and Grand Rapids. Therefore he asks the Bishop to be in Saut Ste. Marie at the beginning of June to embark to Copperharbor, to take...

Scope and Contents Baraga and Father Otto Skolla are in Lapointe because the mission in L'Anse is too small to occupy two priests. Even the priest's house is so small that it can hold only one priest, though Baraga had to use the only room it contains also for a schoolroom. Father Skolla had to sleep in another house which was quite embarrasing for everybody. Therefore Baraga decided to bring him to Lapointe for the winter as there is no priest in that mission. If Father Skolla likes the place and if the...

Scope and Contents Baraga arrived in Lapointe on Feb. 11, and will leave immediately Fev. 16. for Fond du Lac where he will stay 8 or 10 days. He intends to go back to L'Anse about March 15. Father Otto Skolla is doing very well in Lapointe. The congregation likes him very much, though they miss Baraga. He has a good interpreter for all his sermons and confessions and Baraga is happy to see the Indians go to confession without difficulty. Skolla has made fine progress in studying French and the Indian...

Scope and Contents Baraga feels extremely grateful to the Bishop for what he had done for him and said to him in his letter of July 30. What he said about Father Otto Skolla will serve as information and advice to Baraga and will settle the matter. He does not know everything of that affair, but from the Bishop's letter he begins to understand. He will not ask the Bishop any more to send Father Skolla to Lapointe. It never was his intention to keep Skolla with him, but to leave him alone in Lapointe. The...

Scope and Contents Baraga received several letters from the Bishop and he thanks him for the money that is being sent to him. He has already made arrangements to settle his bills, but those who have received money-orders do not have to be paid immediately, they will wait until the Bishop has received the sums mentioned in his letters. The first money order of $181- is made out to a man who can wait until spring 1848. The Bishop should not pay until he has received the annuities for the Indian schools in the...

Scope and Contents Baraga received Father Badin's letter of September 28, 1837 on March 5, 1838. He is sorry he cannot send the medals to Badin before the beginning of navigation which is at the end of June. He has brought no other things from Europe for him. The 630 francs which Bishop Frederick Rese had paid for the transport of Baraga's luggage will be paid back by Mr. Logros of Havre, to whom Baraga had sent the money from New York through a Mr. Crooks. The expenses of the printing and binding of the...

Scope and Contents Baraga's relations had written in several letters that they have sent money to him through the Leopoldine Association. This money should be in the hands of Bishop Frederick Rese, as the Association never sends the money simple missionaries. But if a sum of money is given for a special missionary, the Association usually indicated that such a sum must be given to such a missionary. His eldest sister informed him that on August 17, 1838, a sum of $260 was sent specially for him. But he never...

Scope and Contents Father Baraga hopes that Father Badin has received his last letter April 27, 1840 in which he specified the sums of money which were sent to him from Europe. He would also like to receive more news about the diocese and also a catalogue with all the Catholic clergy of the United States, as he wants to know the number of the priests and the state of the different dioceses. His own little mission is in good order it is already a little parish. He intends to build a new church next summer a...

Scope and Contents Father V. Badin's two letters July 10 and 31, arrived on August 18. Baraga would like to know as soon as possible who will be the successor of Bishop Frederick Résé. He thanks him for sending the Almanac, containing a list of all the clergy in the US, also for the $250 which were given to a William Brewster, who was to have delivered the notification to a Mr. Borup, the Agent of the Fur Company in Lapointe. As he has not yet done so, Baraga asks Badin to see that he does. Mr. Fraushere is...

Scope and Contents Baraga thanks Mr. Stuart for coming to him and proposing to appropriate a certain sum for schools and missions. As this sum is now appropriated, Baraga hopes that Stuart keeps his intention to give a share of this money to the Indian congregation as the Indians and half- breeds in his mission are more numerous than the Protestants. About $300 a year would please the Indians. Their chief is Buffalo's oldest son. Baraga and his congregation have always desired a Catholic school but...

Scope and Contents Father Rese's letter of December 8, 1832 brought to Father Baraga a great deal of consolation and joy, but also much astonishment and worry. Consolation and joy because Rese has promised help and support to the mission---astonishment because a relative of Baraga wants to come from Austria to the mission and worry because Mr. Lichtenberg intends to visit the mission. He implores Rese to prevent such a visit. Furthermore, Baraga wants to know who exactly the person from Austria is that wants...

Scope and Contents , Father Baraga is still worried about the relative who intends to come to devote her life to the mission. He had received a letter from his older sister in which she wrote that it is the younger sister who is coming and that the Bishop gave her the permission to come. Baraga is quite distressed about that, because she knows no French and will never be able to learn it well. She will be very unhappy. Baraga wrote to her immediately not to come. If she gets the letter before she left, Baraga...

Scope and Contents Baraga requests Rese to allow him to begin a new mission at La Pointe, Wisconsin. A year ago Madame Marianne Lasaliere Fisher had told him of this place on Lake Superior where there are many savages and some Catholics, but no priest. These people especially the savages, desire very much to have a priest because they want to be converted. They have never seen a "black robe," but several Protestant ministers have tried to convert them, with no result. For a long time he has pondered over this...

Scope and Contents Father Baraga received Father Rese's letter of December 2 of the previous year only on January 29. Rese in his letter had complained that Baraga writes so seldom and so little. Baraga justifies himself by saying that though he wrote little to Cincinnati, however he had been writing more to Vienna, to the Leopoldine Association, which letters are quite detailed. These letters to Vienna he considers of greater importance than those to Cincinnati. Baraga is glad to hear that the sum of money...

Scope and Contents Father Baraga is still concerned about the relative who wants to come to L'Arbre Croche in order to devote her life to the Indians of this mission. If she should really come she would have to teach school with Madame Fisher, therefore he asks Father Badin to tell Miss Elizabeth Williams not to come to the mission. When he had engaged her he did not know of this other person. Again he asks to be informed as to who is going to be Bishop of Cincinnati, or Bishop of Detroit. He also inquires how...

Scope and Contents Baraga has answered Miss Elizabeth Williams' letter sincerely and asked her to show that letter to Father Badin who is her confessor. Badin will see them for himself that Baraga has done her no wrong. When Father Frederick Rese comes to L'arbre Croche he will decide about this matter with more assurance. Baraga reproaches Father Badin a little because he still has not answered him about the church bell which is to be recast in Detroit. He wants to know whether it is finished and when he can...

Scope and Contents Father Baraga sends Father V. Badin $160,000. He is not able to send him the whole sum of $130,000 which he owes to Mr. Desnoyers and Mr. Steavens, because that is all the money he possesses. While he was in Detroit someone has stolen $50 out of his trunk, from the $250 which Bishop Edward Fenwick had given him. As he owes Mme. Marianne Lasaliere Fisher $20 and the hired man $20, there is only $160 left. He suspects the hired man, but has no way of proving it. He asks Father V.F. Badin to...

Scope and Contents Father Baraga asks Badin to answer him several questions which have worried him quite a bit., 1. What has happened to the church bell which was to be recast in Detroit and which Baraga hoped to get before the winter,, 2. Has Father Frederick Rese arrived in Detroit and what arrangements has Badin made with him: Has he paid Badin what Badin loaned Baraga and has Rese received Baraga's letter from Mackinaw., 3. What has Badin arranged with Steavens and Desnoyers concerning Baraga's bill., 4....