Blanc, Anthony Archbishop of New Orleans, Mobile, Alabama, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1859 October 3

Blanc acknowledges Purcell's letter of Oct. 27 which he received yesterday in New Orleans. Since Purcell set the 2nd Sunday of Advent for the consecration he decided to come at once to Mobile, arriving this morning, to see about the episcopal robes and other vestments. Mobile is better fixed than New Orleans and these vestments will be used. He does not like the planetas plicatas of the advent season and would have preferred the feast of the Immaculate Conception. However, on a week day the crowds would have been thin. He asks if the service will be cantata. He fears that chanted services would be too long. As the conscreation is to take place in the cathedral of New Orleans, a sermon in French as well as English will be expected—an additional reason why the ceremonies should not be chanted. He asks Purcell to bring his mozetta instead of his mantilleta. He has invited all the suffragans but all cannot come. Bishop William H. Elder, and Bishop John M. Odin, who is visiting on the Rio Grande will probably be there. BishopAndrewByrne is not returned from the old country and BishopAugustsuMartin lacks means of travel because of the irregularity of the Red river. They will have to come again to New Orleans in January for the provincial council. He is pleased that Bishop-elect John Quinlan has invited BishopJames F.Wood to come. In case he cannot come Blanc hopes that he will let him know so that Purcell can persuade Bishop Martin J. Spalding to come. All will stay in the archiepiscoapal mansion. The installation will be on the 3rd Sunday of Advent which is the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception—the patronal of the Mobile cathedral. He will speak of other things viva voce.Note the letter was misdated Oct. Instead of November :: II-4-o A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo.