David writes of a spectacle seen only in Europe or Rome. Bishop Louis William DuBourg has visited them for ten days with his little band. They planned an episcopal reception but the Bishop came on with Father Guy Ignatius Chabrat to St. Thomas. The first to come was the Bishop himself who took his meal at the seminary. Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget rendered honors due a bishop and erected for him a throne opposite to his own. DuBourg assisted at the Sunday Mass and gave a sermon on the gospel of the First Sunday of Advent. The first vespers of the Immaculate Conception he celebrated pontifically, and gave the benediction. David gives the details of the ceremonies. DuBourg said it reminded him of a papal Mass without the Pope and the Cardinals. He found their church and seminary attractive, something he did not expect to find in the midst of the forests. He found few things to criticize in the cathedral which they hope to have covered by the new year. They have not held a synod as they had proposed. DuBourg will return when they have finished the cathedral. It appears that then there will be three bishops because Bruté may know that they are going to make David coadjutor of Bardstown. He would like to avoid this but Flaget insists. He will write to the Cardinal explaining why he wants to escape the appointment to Philadelphia or Baltimore. When they have that consecration DuBourg says they will have a synod or as DuBourg says a council. the two prelates left yesterday for St. Louis. They will stay a few days in Louisiana. The people of St. Louis have raised over $1,000 which DuBourg has given to David to support his group. They are all there with the exception of Aquaroni, Caretti and Ferrari with two youths, and those working with Father Stephen Theodore Badin. The number of guests is now 24 which with their own 17 makes 41 of which 27 are ecclesiastics to whom 3 will be added when they receive tonsure--the cradle of the church for Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri Territory, Mississippi, and lower Louisiana, the little grain of mustard seed. The faithful of St. Louis under Father Henry Pratte, the curé of St. Genevieve, appointed provisionally by Flaget for that purpose, Father Felix d'Andreis being in charge there, has made arrangements to repair the presbytery for DuBourg and two assistants. DuBourg plans to bring his group there in the spring. They will have need of the English he teaches them because Americans are settling around St. Louis and on the banks of the Missouri. He asks whether he dare say a word about Bruté's letter to Wharton. All there admire Bruté's zeal but think he speaks too strongly. His invectives will arouse only heat and hate. The conversion of Wharton would be a miracle. It is best not to act on first feelings but to wait and seek the advice of wise persons., P.S. His nomination is a secret there; Flaget has informed Archbishop Ambrose Maréchal. If Bruté writes he is to avoid any title that would betray the fact. :: II-3-n A.L.S. French 3pp. folio, 4