Loras, Mathias, Bishop of Dubuque, Potosi, Iowa, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1841 June 22

After the ordinances from Rome concerning the bishops' wills by which the Church property goes to the successor of the title, Loras has chosen Blanc to be his residuary heir, if he has no objection. Blanc is to let him know before he sends the document. Father John Mary Odin, C.M. has refused. Loras always was convinced that he would and that it was an unsuitable choice in view of the immense good he would do in Texas without leaving his congregation. Loras suffers more than anyone from these delays. He had to give $1000 last week to Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to help build the church. But he was well repaid by 119 Communions and 70 Confirmations. He is greatly troubled because of Father P.? Kelly at Milwaukee; he received petitions against him again yesterday. The seminary at the Barrens has just refused to take him. If Loras interdicts him again he will perhaps corrupt? His confrere and compatriot at Chicago. Perhaps Loras should undertake that long trip this summer. He is also troubled about Miss Calkin?, feeling that perhaps she is not useful for the Ursulines. She wrote that she did not wish to hear any more about Madame Exley so she could not come to Burlington. After Father Stephen Rousselon's severe letter Loras sent her money to come to Prairie du Chien where he thought she could do something in french for she has not made great progress in English. If she decides not to come, Divine Providence will find a suitable place for her in New Orleans which would perhaps be the best. If Blanc and the Ursulines have been tried on her account they will all partake of the merit of having wished to save a soul by making her useful to religion. Loras thinks it was either Bishop Portier or Blanc who wrote the article in the paper about Father Auguste Jeanjean's death. Blanc can never repair the loss. It seems that Father Rousselon? Will have trouble gaining the confidence of the clergy; his situation has become more critical by the death of his colleague. Will Blanc ask Rousselon if he has thought of getting some good works for him if Jeanjean's library is sold. :: V-4-l A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.