Lefevere is probably surprised that he had not heard before from Kindekens since he arrived in Belgium but he has not known what to write. As he arrived he learned of the death of Count Felix DeMerode, Kindekens hoped that the family would continue to pay the promised gift of the Count. They could at least pay the capital but even that has not been paid, but he does not intend to give up easily this gift which he feels is owed at least in honor. Despite the discouragements at its origin his work is progressing. He has organized a committee to collect gifts and the American College at Louvain is not regarded as an ordinary project. The bishops have been favorable, especially that of Ghent who is asking the Propagation for a special aid, despite the indifference of most of the American bishops to the project. However he is determined to open the college in a rented building. He has already had the offer of two young vicars, well trained and of good virtue, on condition that they become students at the American college and he understands that the bishops are going to make such a procedure the condition for sending missionaries to America. He had heard that Bishop Michael O'Connor has written to Archbishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Baltimore that to open a college at Louvain now would be disrespectful to Rome. This idea has its origin in America and not in Rome. The Holy Father and Cardinal Barnabo have encouraged the project. He expects a letter from the Baron Xavier de Merode regarding the donation of the Count. In the meantime he asks Lefevere to send him the $1,000 and to ask the bishops of Louisville Martin John Spalding and Albany John McCloskey to do the same. Perhaps they hesitate under the circumstances to confide their amount to him. He asks Lefevere to send this letter to those two prelates. P.S. He sends his respects to his brother and to his family to whom he will write when he has news. He sends regards to Father Hennaert and the other priests at the house. He encloses a newspaper clipping, apparently from a Brussels newspaper about Bishop O'Connor and Kindekens and the foundation of the two American colleges in Europe. :: III-2-i A.L.S. French 3pp. 8vo.