Fitzgibbon, Mr. M, Norfolk, Virginia, to Archbishop John Baptist Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio, 1874 November 28

He encloses Purcell's first letter to him of Mar. 12, 1871 which will enable Purcell to get his own letter out of file, which contained all the information to enable him to know the nature of the claim Fitzgibbon made for compensation for work done on Mr. James Behan's estate, from which Purcell received nearly $6,000 from Bishop John McGill of Richmond. He saved $10,000 of Behan's estate which was claimed by Behan's sisters in Australia, by showing that Behan's last codicil revoked the previous settlement to his sisters. His only motive was to see justice done to all parties, and had no idea that McGill and Purcell would benefit. He does not like to speak of the dead, but Sister Isidore's letter to Purcell reminds him that the Hospital of St. Vincent de Paul was not fairly dealt with by McGill. The hospital was Behan's favorite charity and deserved to be paid, and this McGill refused to do. McGill did not comply with Behan's requests in his last codicil regarding the stock legatees. McGill as executor was not competent to manage the estate, and Behan's last codicil set him aside in favor of Mr. Doyle and Fitzgibbon. McGill's lawyers falsely stated that it was their wish that McGill be appointed executor, for which he received one-third of the commissions allowed the executors, while Fitzgibbon did nine-tenths of the work. He knows that Purcell's knowledge of the situation was limited and that he left everything in McGill's hands. McGill received $8,000 from Behan's English estate, between five and six thousand from this country, and about $2,000 for being executor. He has not spoken before of McGill and will not do so again. No doubt his best qualities were not known to Fitzgibbon, but he always found him unbearable and hateful. He did not give McGill any papers, for if he had, the affairs would probably not be settled yet, for McGill was no business man. Behan gave to Fitzgibbon full confidence, his power of attorney, and trusted him in everything. McGill watched the residuary fund so closely, that there was not enough money to have Behan's remains brought back from England to this country. McGill agreed to appropriate $300 but after that showed no interest or concern in the remains. Behan had asked that his body be returned to Norfolk and the executors to bear the expense. McGill, as one of the residuary legatees, made the residuum a large one. It is now up to Purcell and Bishop James Gibbons of Richmond to see that Behan's body is returned. McGill was twice in Liverpool on his way to and from Rome, but did not make any effort to obtain the remains. Fitzgibbon intends to write to Gibbons on this matter. He is ashamed of the long letter, and Purcell will probably look upon it as bad temper, but he desires to defend himself against McGill's statement that he was fully compensated for his work, implying that he was dishonest, in asking from Purcell what he ought to get. It will not be necessary to send a power of attorney to sell his Canal stock. He will see that it is sold at the best price possible, and advise Purcell accordingly. :: II-5-f A.L.S. 10pp. 12mo.