Kenrick, Archbishop Francis Patrick, Baltimore, Maryland, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1852 August 10

Kenrick Learns from Blanc's letter just received that Father Charles I. White? was named as best calculated for the vacancy of Natchez . White was removed by Kenrick's predecessor for an offence affecting the feelings, if not the honor, of a respectable family. Kenrick cannot particularly characterize it. The late Archbishop Samuel Eccleston expressed his determination never to receive him back to the Cathedral. It may be advisable to withdraw his name. Father William Henry Elder is pious and learned but young. Father James M. Lancaster is rather affected and worldly. Kenrick is glad that Blanc is going to Rome. Father Francis Lhomme States that Father Gilbert? Raymond? is deficient in judgment and prudence and that he will be cut off from the Sulpicians if he accepts. Kenrick has received a strong letter from one of the bishops complaining of the language used by Archbishops John Baptist Purcell of Cincinnati and John Hughes of New York in reference to the appointment for Newark . He insists that Father Edward? Purcell led a secular life and neglected the sacraments for many years until the hand of death deemed to lay hold on him at New Orleans. He states that his ecclesiastical training is very imperfect and that no one but his brother gives him credit for great piety. He considers his appointment to be designed to facilitate his promotion to a see to be erected in Dayton, Ohio and thence to Cincinnati. He complains that Kenrick did not enforce the system of balloting in a case which involved the liberty of the prelates. As Kenrick feels bound to communicate these things to the Holy See, he advices Blanc of it lest he sould appear to act inconsistently. P.S. Bishop James Oliver Vandevelde writes that he was graciously received. The Holy Father at first refused to entertain his petition but afterwards heard him. :: VI-1-d A.L.S. 4pp. 16mo. 13