Grassi is very grateful for Bruté's letter. He has received a letter of September 20 from the General from Polock where he says he is like a prisoner. The government refuses him permission to go to Rome or to send others. Father Cross Tristram says a new publication has appeared answering Dallas's work in favor of society or rather against the Catholic religion. There is still a Father Charles Plowden although he is old and losing the elegance of his pen. The division over the veto still troubles the Catholic body. Grassi will send Bruté Father Andres' pamphlet. He sends his regards to Father Ambrose Maréchal and others. Father Francis Neale is doing poorly., P.S. Bruté's friend Joseph Byrne being almost insane from scruples father Anthony Kohlman sent him home. Since the General does not speak of the expulsion of the Jesuits the story about Geneva is quite unfounded. He saw the article in the Edinburgh Review on Father Viscard; he saw it about 10 years ago. This letter was to have been sent with Father Henry a week ago but he delayed his trip because of Father Neal's indisposition. He has received Bruté's of the 6th. Until Father Benjamin Fenwick arrives it will be impossible for Grassi to go into town to get the copies of the Portico mentioned by Bruté. The Archbishop Leonard Neale does not bother with Porticos or newspapers. If he saw the Fernandez article or the Charleston article he does not mention them. If they get two professors from Stonyhurst or some help from the Low Countries, they can turn their hand to establishing a Catholic magazine. Mr. Baxter, one of the expected professors, has already published in England. There is a rage of pamphlets against Catholics in that country. It would be folly for them to start something they could not continue. Father Plowden said they must build with one hand and write with the other but he did not think of the hand they have to use on the missions in America. They are thinking of sending their men to Rome or Palermo for their education. As he never goes out in Washington he cannot give any particulars about the oath of Monroe, but will ask Father William Mathews who was present at the ceremony. He does not contradict Mr. Farrell but they are all well. March 10, 1817. :: II-3-n A.L.S. 4pp. 4to., 5