Barnabo, Alexander Cardinal Prefect, Rome, Papal States, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1871 January 14

Barnabo says that Purcell knows that complaints have been made concerning the manner of acting of Bishop William McCloskey of Louisville, especially in regards to temporal matters. Purcell also knows that Barnabo presented the matter to McCloskey when he was in Rome for the Council so that McCloskey could explain himself, as he did explain. However, while on the one hand the complaints were explained away, on the other hand new complaints have been received so that Barnabo feels that he must find some new way to get at the real situation. Purcell can understand that the best way is to have some one go in person and investigate and then report. This burden he places on Purcell. First however, Barnabo wants to know if Purcell has any objection to this. If he has, another bishop of the province would be appointed. Great caution and prudence must be used in this matter, especially since there still remains the difficulty between McCloskey and Archbishop Martin J. Spalding , the former bishop. Consequently, whether Purcell undertakes the task himself or designates another, another bishop should be added, not because Barnabo sees any trace of prejudice, but to remove any doubt in the minds of those who have made complaint. Whatever Purcell decides to do, Barnabo asks him to write to him giving his decision. :: II-5-e L.S. Latin 2pp. 8vo.