Elder, Bishop William Henry, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Father Francis Xavier Leray, Jackson, Mississippi, 1859 September 10

Leray's letter of September 2 followed Elder to Bay St. Louis along with a letter from the Sisters of Mercy saying they could not supply Vicksburg, and another came from Nazareth which said that they could not for a year or two. Since writing to Nazareth Elder thought of the Sisters of Loretto in Kentucky, and asks Leray to write them or the Bishop of Louisville. Elder is willing that Leray rent out the house for another year, but he should consult with his parishioners to raise their interest. The rent only brings in $480 per year minus taxes and expenses, which is a poor return on $8000. The house should bring at least 8% after expenses. Maybe he could use it for a boys' school. Leray must have received Elder's letter of September 6, and he hopes Father James Blake ? is worthy of forbearance. Elder would rather that Blake? retire to a monastery. :: VI-2-b A.L.S. 3pp. 12mo.