Elder William Henry, Bishop of Natchez, Natchez, Mississippi, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1864 February 18

Elder received Purcell's letter of Jan. 25th. Because of Purcell's mentioning Bennett in his letter, Elder was wondering if he should bring him into the diocese but he now has learned that the Conscript law in the Confederacy exempts only those clergymen "licensed to preach" by 1862 and as Bennett would be liable for conscription anywhere except at Natchez or Vicksburg Elder wants him to stay and be ordained by Purcell until he can find a place for him at either of the above cities. Elder's faculty to ordain for the title of the missions has expired and he applied for its renewal on Jan. 19. His brother, John Elder has been treated shamefully even though he took the oath of allegiance. He tried to obtain redress by applying to the highest authorities but they have violated the public faith and that does not say much of a government claiming to be the best the world has ever seen. Because Elder has looked upon Purcell as a Father since he arrived at the Mountain in 1831 he does not like to speak to him about political matters but Purcell believes he is the victim of unfavorable opinions caused by misrepresentations of the two journals and Elder has not seen more than three of them since1861 until lately and was shocked at seeing the Bishops and priests urge prosecution of the war, and Purcell's Pastoral. Elder's opinion is that Purcell dislikes slavery and would like it discontinued but by having printed his approval of Abolition which means in the present day sense a continuance of the war until the South is subjugated, he has caused a grief to the Southerners. Elder has no great confidence in human government and would not urge any one to volunteer risking his life for it. The best government is one such as existed in Catholic times when condemnation by the public and the Pope insured the world against unscrupulous rulers. Elder believes that the Federal Government has stopped the Pope's letter to Archbishops John Hughes of New York and John M. Odin of New Orleans and feels that such a government will not afford for civil or religious liberty. He fears a sweeping conscription by the Confederacy which will include priests, and hopes Bishop John McGill of Richmond Virginia will come to an understanding with the authorities. He has taken no part, but his sympathies are with his own flock. He asks for pardon for the long letter describing his position and regardless of the difference in views he continues to esteem Purcell. :: II-5-b A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo.