ILE A LA CROSSE

My dear Lord,

I have the honor to acknowledge your communication of 12 January last on the affairs ofthe missions of the Roman Catholic Church in these Territories.

Before proceeding to reply to that letter, I desire to place on record a tribute of respect for the memory of that excellent prelate, your predecessor, whose loss we have so recently had to deplore. During a long period, longer than human friendships are usually permitted to endure, it had been my happiness to maintain with that worthy bishop anintercourse characterized by personal esteem and respect, never, during upwards ofthirly years, interrupted either in our official capacities or our private relations. In his public career he proved himself the friend of order and good government, the promoter of every object likely to conduce to the general welfare, and a pillar of strength to the constituted authorities, ever ready to bear his share of public burdens, in the deli. berations of Council as well as in the maintenance of the laws. Of his private worth, the wide-spread feeling of sorrow at his loss affords a touching proof of his benevolence and liberality, his pious and blameless life had won for him universal esteem : to myself individually, he was a friend honored and esteemed, with whom it was ever a pleasure to associate. Permit me to say in conclusion, that it is some consolation on this sad occasion, that the late Bishop's oflice devolves on so worthy a successor ; the individual may be changed but the ‘ Bishop of St. Boni. face ”’,it is felt, will continue to be to this colony an example of christian virtues and enlightened vie Ws, seessssss sous, es RITES LC EES vovs0e

(Signed) G. £IMPSON, Traduction.

Fort Garry, Rivière Rouge, le 30 juin 1853.