Copy of a speech on the conferring of the red hat on McCloskey. Pope Pius IX has commissioned Roncetti as Ablegate Apostolic, to present the red hat to Archbishop McCloskey. Roncetti presents his felicitations on the occasion when the first American has been raised to this honor. The Holy Father wanted to recognize the Archbishop's singular merits and long service to the Church, and at the same time to show his love for the Catholics of the United States, and to express his affection for this illustrious nation, where along with the great commercial and material progress, he sees some great progress in moral and religious matters. This new dignity will be a great consolation to Catholics in this country, and will serve to reaffirm the bonds of faith and of charity which unite the Church. :: I-1-d Copy in hand of the Ablegate French 2pp. folio