The archbishop and the bishops of the United States have shown their zeal for religion in the Provincial Council which they have held in Baltimore during the month of October. To this the Holy Father, Pope Gregory XVI in a letter, here enclosed, testifies by his authority. Pedecini [Pedicini] also is happy to congratulate the bishops in the name of the Sacred Congregation. As to the matters considered in the Council, Whitfield has probably received the copy of the Apostolic Brief on the erection of the See of Vincennes and the appointment of Simon Brute as first bishop thereof. Included in this letter is the Apostolic Bull of the Pope setting up the diocesan limits of the dioceses. The Indian missions and the Liberian mission and others for the colored are entrusted to the Jesuits and the Cardinal has consulted with the superior General of the Jesuits on the decision of the bishops and the Sacred Congregation. As to the method of choosing bishops in the United States, he encloses the decision of the Sacred Congregation. Copies of this decree are to be sent to all the bishops of the United States. The Sacred Congregation approves the completion of the project of drawing up a new edition of the Roman Ritual and the textbooks in philosophy and theology, and will be pleased to receive a copy of such books when they are published. These are the matters of the Council which he wishes to treat specially with Whitfield. The decrees are as follows: