Spalding, Martin J., Archbishop of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1865 August 11

Spalding has the honor to communicate the decision of the Holy See regarding the Fenians. It be not very practical nor luminous it may be better. The best way to destroy Fenianism is to let it destroy itself. He understands that Lord Lyons had a list of the prominent Fenians in Canada and Ireland which he exhibited to General James Shields with letters from prominent members eagerly striving to outbid each other for the reward for betraying the secrets of their brethren. The race of "informers" is not extinct. Purcell is asked to send copies to his suffragan. ` P.S. The president has pardoned Bishop Patrick Lynch who will soon return. He includes a copy of the following letter of Cardinal Alexpander Barnabo, signed also by H. Capalti as secretary to Spalding.