Elder, William Henry,Bishop of Natchez, Natchez, Mississippi, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1869 February 2

Elder noticed in one of our Catholic papers a paragraph stating that the United States was to exact a legacy tax on the diocese of Alton as bequeathed by the will of the late Bishop Henry Damian Juncker . Elder asks whether the letter Purcell read to him from someone in Washington Dec., 1866 could still be relied upon. That letter promised that the bequests of Bishop Juncker would not be taxed. He wishes to know if the letter is incorrect, if the statement in the papers is incorrect, or if there was an error in Juncker's will or titles. Their retreat and synod was held last week. Father E Schmulders Smulders C.SS.R. gave the Retreat. Elder was called away at the beginning of the retreat by Mrs. Gordon of Woodville, whose husband died. Mr. Posey baptized him conditionally. Elder buried Gordon and returned home for the synod. He extends regards to Rev. Edward Purcell and to all the priests about Purcell. :: II-5-d A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo.