McGill, John Bishop of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1871 March 29

He was worried for fear his letter would not reach Purcell, so he sent the telegram. He has read Dr. M. Fitzgibbon's letter and wonders at his way of taking credit for himself. In the first place, Fitzgibbon took the job without any understanding about extra compensation. Secondly, McGill did just as much work as did Fitzgibbon, and thirdly, Fitzgibbon got his share of commissions. Fitzgibbon's view on Miss Behan's claim is his only, and is a mistake, for the claim was for $10,000 and not $2,000 and was revoked in the English codicil. McGill and the others gave their opinions also when the claim was settled in court, besides paying the counsel $200 for his services. Fitzgibbon may have shown some accounts to the commissioner, but McGill thinks they were already filed on account of the will. Fitzgibbon takes the credit for saving something for the residuary legatees, but McGill sees no reason for his doing this. He thinks the man sufficiently well off. McGill is glad to see Fitzgibbon's give his approval to the decision of the legatees. He is a right man, but too interested in himself. McGill does not know the conditions of the person about whom Mr. Walter J. Doyle wrote Purcell, as he does not recollect his saying anything about the case. He sent the $800 to Sister Isidore but has received no acknowledgement as yet. Since she got more than any other of the legacy expectants, she should be pleased and thankful. He has not been home long enough to see about the transfer of stock or to learn what is required to effect it. A law is being passed in the Virginia legislature that will effect these, but to what extent, he does not know. They propose to fund 2/3 of the old stock in new Virginia bonds and hold the other 1/3 until West Virginia makes some provision to pay her part of the state debt before the separation of the states. He does not know of anyone who would suit for the See of Cleveland. Archbishop Martin John Spalding is very dissatisfied with Bishop Wiliam McCloskey . He sends greetings to Father Edward Purcell and his friends. P.S. Fitzgibbon says the estate of James H. Behan is finally closed, but he thinks there are still some returns to be made about June to the commissioner. :: II-5-e A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.