Pourtales, Countess Frederica de nee De Castellane Villa Augusta, Vercy, Canton de Vaud, Switzerland, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, Cincinnati, Ohio, 1874 November 8

The Countess saw few days ago General De Castella, former officer in the Papal army, whom Purcell will remember. He has spoken to her of Spain and the cause of Don Carlos in whose service he has enlisted the Countess to speak to Purcell. Carlos represents the Catholic cause since France has fallen so low. The press seeks to shackle this heroic price. She fears that he will be trapped. He is the only Catholic prince who can render aid to the Holy See. The Catholics are gathered at Fermes under the presidencey of Monseignour Caspar Mermillod to organize aid for him. But their money has been spent by these wars and persecutions and they now appeal to their brethern in America. They wish a loan of five millions to Don Carlos and an armed ship in the Bay of Biscay, the expense to be charged to the government of Don Carlos. They appeal to Purcell who has so much influence among the American Catholics. Archbishop James R. Bayley and Bishop James F. Wood would follow his example. She suggests that a Catholic banker would take charge of the loan and some competent person would assume the burden of supplying the ship. She encloses a copy of letter to General De Castella from Don Carlos which is not for publication. in her own hand. She has written the above by Mademoiselle Frincano, but she wishes to add a footnote to Purcell. She has read with interest the accounts of the marriage of General Sherman's daughter. She is living at a villa inherited by the Marracks from the widow of the King of Prussia. Purcell knows that the Countess de Castella spent the winter in France. She had tried in vain to get here to live here with her. She thinks often of Mrs. Sarah Peter and of her energy. They will surely return to the Holy Father and demand his benediction. L.S.Partly A. 4pp. 8vo. Enclosure as follows.