Naturally enough they desire to have him continually amongst them, not only to direct, instruct and console them through life, but also and more especially to be by him assisted in sickness, and comforted by his hope-ispiring presence on the eve of entering the uncertain passage which leads to eternity..

 For in order to establish fixed residences for Missioners in the Patagonian desert according as the natives unite in colonies or villages, he obviously requires a much greater number, of priests, catechists and mums, as also a goodly store of household chattels, provisions and diverse articles, indispensable both for daily sustenance and divine worship..

 I also feel pleasure in participating to you, that (in order to render more secure the entire conversion of Patagonia) we have resolved to open a way on the Western side of Chili, and already a band of Salesians have gone there to found a college in the city of Conception..

 Louis Lasagna has returned from that distant land precisely to plead and make better known the wants and - thanks be to God - encouraging condition of our American Missions; nor has he neglected any means by whih hec might induce us to pre­pare this time also a numerous expedition of Salesian Priests and Nuns of Mary Help of Christians.

 Co-operators, in your generosity, that as you have succoured me in the past, you may also come to my aid in the present expedition.