Letter IX,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRÉCIS HISTORIQUES, BRUSSELS.
The Crazy Bear, an Assiniboin Chief.
CINCINNATI, COLLEGE OF ST. XAVIER, July 28, 1854.
REV. AND DEAR FATHER
Vocations, alas I are still extremely rare; we must have ecclesiastics from Europe to go to the aid of the benighted Indians, who are without guide or pastor, and always desirous and anxious for them. I annually receive letters and most pressing invitations from /the chiefs of the Indian tribes on the Upper Missouri and among the Rocky Mountains.
The following is a faithful translation of a letter I received from a great chief of the Assiniboins. They occupy the plains of the Yellowstone and of the Missouri: they number about 1500 lodges, and speak the Sioux language. My correspondent and petitioner is the great chief, " the Bear." He was one of the deputation of chiefs who accompanied me to the Great Council in 1851.
" To the ..Medicine-man of. the White Nation.
"BLACK-GOWN, FATHER, AND FRIEND:
" I was so happy as to become acquainted with you at Fort Union, in the summer of 1851; but I was then ignorant, in a great degree, of the motives of your visit among us, and hence I` could not discover to you my inmost feelings and explain to you my thoughts. At Fort Union you preached to us-telling us of the Great Spirit and his law You said you would like to come and teach us, so as to ameliorate the mental and moral condition of our tribes:I think, also, that you gave- us reason to expect, that after two or three winters some Black-gowns would come and establish themselves among us, in order to show us how to live well and how -to train up our children. Afterwards we travelled together as far as the Platte. During that journey, and since my return from Fort Laramie, I have learned and heard much of the beautiful Word of the Great Spirit which you first made known to us. Now, I am persuaded that this Word would change our state and render us happy At the Great Council, our great Father (Colonel Mitchell superintendent of Indian Territory) told us that some Black gowns would come and live among us in the course of four or five years. Black-gown', five years are long to wait! ,In this long interval I and many of my children may have entered the land of spirits. Take pity -on us! The Black gowns ought not to delay their coming so long. I am growing old: before I die I should like to begin the work and then. I could depart satisfied. My country is tranquil we are at peace with all the surrounding tribes-our ancient enemies, the Black-Feet, are the only ones we have to fear but we can protect you. All my nation call aloud for t Black-gown, and invite him to come with all speed: I sincerely hope that our expectation may not be deceived. know that the Black-gowns devote themselves to the happiness and well-being of the Indians. If to -hasten the project pecuniary aid be wanting, I will cheerfully give a portion the annuities of my tribe to meet this deficiency.
" I see the buffaloes decrease every year. What will become of us without help? If our children are not instructed in time, they will disappear like the game.
,"I have learned that the I Long Knives' (the Americans) have bought the lands of the Chippeways, Sioux, and Winnebagoes, as far as, the Red River, and of the Pawnees, Omahas, and Ottos, on the Missouri. The whites are approaching us on the north and on the west, which is a new motive for hastening the arrival of the Black-gown among us.
" I hope my words will reach you, and that you will think of us and our destitute situation. Do this, Black-gown, at the request of your friend, '
THE BEAR, Chief of the Assiniboins'
Remember me to Father Provincial and the Fathers of. St. 'Michael's. In union with your. holy sacrifices, I have the honor to be, .
. Rev. and dear Father,
Your devoted brother in Christ,
P. J. DE SMET, S. J.
P. S.-At this time thousands of whites are settling in the Indian Territory from the Kansas to the- Running Water, and two large territories have been erected by Congress, called Kansas and Nebraska. It is not yet known what arrangements will be taken for the protection of the different aboriginal nations that are found in them ; it is much feared that they will be exiled further into the western wilds. You can see what I said in my second letter, in January,' 1852.
The sect of Mormons is making extraordinary progress in the United States. I will endeavor to send you some new and original details on them, which I am actually preparing. The agitation and prejudices against our holy religion are so great here just now, that Catholic papers from Europe can scarcely reach us. We are on the eve of great difficulties. The anti-Catholic spirit increases daily. All the enemies of our holy religion are leagued against her. As in all persecutions, they seek to excite the masses by atrocious lies and calumnies. Within the last few days three Catholic churches have been destroyed, and every paper speaks of some new exhibition in some part or other. European demagogues labor with all their might to establish on the American soil their maxims of intolerance and persecution. Of all tyrants, they are the most terrible and fearful.