Bayley, James Roosevelt, Archbishop of, Baltimore, Maryland, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1873 May 14

He has received a letter from Cardinal Barnabo requesting his opinion in regard to the erecting Milwaukee into a Metropolitan See. The Vicar General and the Superior of the Seminary of Milwaukee have also written favoring the petition addressed to the Holy See. He thinks the time has come but hesitates in regard to one or two matters upon which he would like Purcell's opinion. It does not seem proper to give Milwaukee precedence in time and trust over Philadelphia and also Boston just because the Bishop wished the matter delayed until his new Cathedral was finished. If the sees are to be erected into Metropolitan Sees one after the other, he thinks Philadelphia should have precedence, then Milwaukee, then Boston. The matter has been left by the Propaganda up to the Archbishops of Cincinnati, New York, Baltimore and no mention is made of St. Louis in whose Province Milwaukee is suffragan see. He has felt bound to inform Archbishop Peter R. Kenrick so that he voices his opinion either to Bayley or directly to Rome. He is much improved in health after his trip to Florida, although he is still not as good as new and finds the work too heavy. For that reason he will apply for a coadjutor as soon as he finds the proper person. He is glad to hear Purcell is still as active as ever. He sends regards to Father Edward Purcell. :: II-5-f A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.