Byrne, Bishop Andrew, Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1855 December 21

Byrne has been in the western part of the diocese for nearly the last two months. Blanc's communication calling the first provincial council has reached him, also the death of the Bishop of Natchez through the papers. Byrne will have to spend Christians time in this place and leave by land immediately after for Little Rock on his way to the Council. The institutions here are gaining ground every day. The Sisters of Mercy had an examination and concert last Tuesday which satisfied the most bitter opponent that only Catholic teaching will be permanent. The Association of the Propagation of the Faith have not done Byrne justice and he will suffer before he troubles them again with his wants. He proposes to lay them before the friends of religion in the United States. He has not at this moment a candidate for Holy Orders for want of means to support. There are a few respectable families in the southern part of the diocese preparing to embrace the faith. One is the brother of one of their senators in Congress. :: VI-1-i A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.