McCloskey, William Bishop of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1871 May 7

McCloskey thanks Purcell for his kind letter but says that since this is a matter that concerns his character he wishes to be perfectly prepared to meet the charges. Until he received Purcell's letter of last week he did not think the letters to Rome had made such an impression and he is resolved to clear himself to prevent further annoyance. He has telegraphed his brother, John McCloskey, to be present at the examinations of the accounts at Mr. Slevins, since it does seem that Archbishop Martin J. Spalding did not keep books. He wants to show how things were during the episcopacy of Spalding and he can rely on his brother. His brother has telegraphed that he will come. He is resolved to leave no portion of his answer bare because he regards the charges as an attempt to drive him from Louisville. He intends to make those who began it, wish they were otherwise engaged. His brother will tend to the business matters. He regards the affair a positive attempt to injure him. He will require at least a week to gather his evidence, especially as this is the busy time. He thinks also that the report should be sent to Rome at once after the visitation. As soon as he hears from his brother he will telegraph to Purcell and asks that Purcell telegraph to Bishop Maurice de St. Palais asking him to postpone his visit. :: II-5-e A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.