My dear beloved Marguerite:
I am writing you in the early hours of the morning. It is around one o’clock. Today is the 16th: a very significant day.
I wish you well. I offer you advice today out of the love that I have always felt for you. Take good care of your little children. The children belong more to God than to you. Do your utmost to raise them according to the dictates of religion; have them pray for me.
Write your Good Father often; tell him that I never forget him, not for a single day. He must take heart. Life seems sad sometimes, but when it seems saddest, sometimes that is when it provides God with the greatest glory.
Louis "David" Riel, your husband who loves you in Our Lord’s name.
I have some words of encouragement, in the Good Lord’s name, for my little, little Jean; words of encouragement, of tenderness as well for my little, little Marie Angélique.
Take heart. You have my blessings.
Your Father,
Louis "David" Riel