Chatard, Father Silas M., Rome, Italy, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1869 August 30

Purcell's letters of July 7 and Aug. 1 were received. Numerous occupations prevented Chatard's replying earlier. Were it not for the foreign papers, it would not be possible to learn of the trouble in Rome, for one hears nothing here that would lead to fear of disturbance for Church or state. Pope Pius IX will never move from his stand on the point of separation from the state. He considers it as important to the independence of the Church in the political order as is eating and drinking and laboring for our daily bread in the natural order. One of the most desperate of the Garibaldians of 1867 has just died a most edifying death at St. Michele. The small deficit of Mr. Henry's bill was met by Purcell's last draft. Mr. Henry is much improved in health. It is the opinion of those in Rome that Henry would have died if he had been allowed to remain in the city. Chatard hopes his condition is truly sound and not just apparently so. He sends regards to Father Edward Purcell and the other gentlemen of the Cathedral. :: II-5-d A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.