Becker, Thomas A. Bishop of Wilmington, Baltimore, Maryland, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1872 February 29

Since the diocese of Baltimore has been widowed by the death of Archbishop John Martin Spalding, according to the instructions of the Holy See, the bishops of the province have met to choose three names from whom the Holy See can select a successor. Three names have been agreed upon: 1. Bishop James R. Bayley of Newark, 2. Bishop Patrick N. Lynch of Charleston. 3. Bishop William H. Elder of Natchez. These things having been decided, and forgetting the privileges of the senior suffragan, Becker was asked, as the secretary of the council, to notify the bishops and archbishops of the count of their choices. :: II-5-e A.L.S. Latin 1pg. 8vo.