their natural charity, exercised especially in regard to the poor, the orphans and the sick; and above all, their zeal for the conversion of unbelievers. They are styled savages, but we may boldly assert that, in all our great cities, and everywhere, thousands of whites are more deserving of this title.
A great number of Potawatomies have made considerable progress in agriculture, and live in a certain degree of affluence. The whites who pass by, and visit the little territory of the Potawatomies, especially in the environs of St. Mary's Mission, are agreeably surprised. They find it difficult to believe that they are among Indians.
It must be acknowledged that the Potawatomies have been specially favored by heaven. During the last quarter of a century, they have had the happiness of having Blackgowns among them; and, during sixteen or seventeen years, they have Ladies of the Sacred Heart, for the education of their girls. The mission, on its present footing, with its two schools, for girls and boys, is a double advantage for those good people. The children acquire there, with religious instruction, the love of industry; the adults find employment in it, and hence a means of subsistence. They see, by the manual labor of our brothers, what man can acquire by diligence.
We may add that God has treated the Potawatomies with great predilection. He has willed that several nations should contribute to their salvation. Such are, among others, Belgium, Holland, France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Canada and the United States. Each of these countries has offered them material aid and missionaries. Monseigneur Miege has resided among them four years; hence their humble temple, constructed of logs, has been exalted to the rank of cathedral.
In the critical conjuncture in which they stand at present - on the eve of forming a last treaty with the Government of the United States, a treaty of life or death for this poor tribe - they have, in the person of Colonel Murphy, the