The necessity of promoting the growth of the Church in the United States rendered it necessary that the election of bishops be properly fulfilled. Consequently, the Sacred Congregation decided that a definite method should be followed in furnishing the Holy See with information and recommendations of priests of merit, and, in its session of Mar. 18, 1834, laid down the following rules. When a see is let vacant the vote of all the bishops is required on the individuals to fill the vacancy. This would be easily taken care of in a provincial council if one is held within three months after the vacancy occurs. In that case they choose before holding the council, those suitable and well-meriting. When a council is not to be held, the following prescriptions are to be followed. Each bishop is to prepare in duplicate and seal, but leave among his papers his choice for successor. This is to be handed to the Vicar General at his death. One copy is to be sent to the Archbishop and the other to the nearest bishop. that bishop is to write his opinion of the recommendation to the Archbishop. Then, or, after a certain time in case the bishop does not write, the Archbishop writes to all the bishops with these recommendations, adding those of his own recommendation if he wishes. Then all these bishops are to write to the Sacred Congregation their opinion of the three or six mentioned. In the case of a vacancy in the Metropolitan see, the letter of the deceased is to be sent to the nearest see and to the senior suffragan and the senior suffragan acts as the Archbishop as in the above regulations. If the deceased has not made any recommendations, the vicar general notifies the nearest bishop who sends in his three recommendations to the Archbishop, which are sent out as in the other case. If the neighboring bishop neglects to do this, the Archbishop sends out his own list. In the vacancy of the metropolitan see, the senior suffragan performs his part. In the election of a coadjutor, the bishop seeking the coadjutor sends his three names to the archbishop and bishops, and his petition to the Sacred Congregation at the same time the others send their opinion to the Sacred Congregation. In following these rules nothing in these letters should imply election, nomination or postulation, but merely recommendation. This is signed by Angelo Mai as secretary.