He sends a circular letter no enclosure which is addressed to the clergy of Cleveland. The regulations which accompany this letter are painfully impressive to most of his confreres. In their name he humbly submits this new law of the diocese and the grave canonical objections which seem to them to be contrary to it. Their Bishop, by this Circular of May 3, 1867, orders his priests to make an accurate census of the families which compose each of their parishes or missions, and to send for the support of the diocesan seminary a sum of 60 cents 3 francs per family. Any priest who refuses to obey this regulation is ipso facto suspended a divinis nor can he be absolved by any other than by the bishop. Such grave penalties are not necessary for a just and wise law. In a wholely new country where the Church possesses nothing, one can not apply the decrees of the Council of Trent authorizing bishops to take ecclesiastical benefits for the creation and maintenance of seminaries. In America pastors are solely supported by alms and annual contributions freely by the faithful, whose charity and liberality are known throughout the entire world. Church, schools and rectories rise up as by magic over every place of the diocese. The diocesan seminary received in last year's collection a sum of 6,000 to 7,000 dollars, considerable for a diocese of 80 parishes. To introduce the taxes instead of voluntary contributions will produce the following consequences: 1. to dry up the source of charity 2. to create in their parishes a disastrous discontent of religion 3. to permit a principle the arbitary application of which would become each year more frequent 4. to trouble the conscience of poor priests to whom it is morally impossible in their towns to make even approximately a census of the number of families. If this law is just and cononical, they will be happy to learn it, and their obedience will be complete and cordial. If their remonstrate are well grounded, they hope Barnabo will introduce the necessary modifications and the cause of the seminary will lose nothing. A.L.S. French :: III-2-l A.L.S. and Copies French 11pp. 12mo