Chatard, Father Silas M., Rome, Italy, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1872 February 17

Purcell's draft brought 1163.34 francs which have been credited to the Cincinnati account. He would have acknowledged it earlier had it not been for the public discussion between Gavassi Sciarelli and Ribetti and three Catholic priests, Fabiani, Cipolla, and Guidi, the former asserting that St. Peter never came to Rome. It was a novel thing for the clergy to do, but they spoke effecutally, for when the last of them was speaking, the president told them that the Evangelicals declined speaking further. Sciarelli said his party was satisfied that Gavassi's arguments had exhausted the question and could not be answered. But Fabiani remarked with a smile that the public had heard it all and would judge for themselves and be edified thereby. Even that did not arouse the Evangelicals and they did not open their lips again. Otherwise, things are as usual. At present there are quite a number of Americans there, among them General William T. Sherman, Col. Andereid, and Major Grant. He hopes Father Burke has met with the success he has had everywhere. If he is with Purcell, Chatard asks to be remembered to him. :: II-5-e A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.