Father Hewit has received Brownson's letter with the consideration its importance deserves. A congress of all English-speaking parts of the Catholic World was announced some time ago under the auspices of Henry Edward Cardinal Manning, but it seems to be given up. Perhaps an American Congress would be a good thing if undertaken under the sanction and direction of the hierarchy, although priests and laymen might take the most active part in its management. He believes in an active participation but that independent action even of the clergy would be dangerous, especially in this country. Several bishops, especially Archbishop John Ireland and Bishops John L. Spaulding and John J. Kenae, would be likely to take an interest, and the approbation of James Cardinal Gibbons should be secured. A committee of preparation of a dozen or more distinguished clergy and laymen to arrange everything orderly beforehand would be necessary. He cannot engage in anything requiring exertion and there are none of his. Congregation to whom he would entrust the work of taking the initiative. They are entirely subject to their Archbishop and cannot act autonomously. Besides, no religious society should be given particular prominence, and the clergy who take part should do so simply as such, associated with lay-men an equal terms and numbers, as in European congresses. Two or three of his order might take part, but beyond that they cannot go; in fact a congress called and directed by Paulists woudl be just as obnoxious as one directed by Jesuits. Let all combine on common ground, if possible, and care be taken not to have a fiasco. :: III-3-c A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo.