Elder, William Henry, Bishop of Natchez, Mississippi, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 December 20

Bishop Augustin Verot writes that he will come to give their diocesan retreat January 15 and he proposes to go first to New Orleans to be there perhaps January 12. Elder is thinking of meeting him there and accompanying him to Sulphur Springs where the retreat is going to be held. Receiving accounts of the great want of priests around Manassas, after consulting with Bishop John Quinlan, he wrote to Bishop John McGill informing him of it and offering to send one from Natchez. Quinlan said he could send one to Columbus. He has just returned from visiting a sick priest, Father Phillip Huber, and thinks he will get well. He would like to know what regulations Odin made for his clergy in the matters he spoke of. ` P.S. He has Father J. McDonough who was several months in New Orleans assisting, he believes, at St. Theresa's. He was a student at Propaganda and has a letter from Bishop Colin Francis McKinnon, Nova Scotia, commending his conduct and piety. He is doubtful only because he remained so long in New Orleans without any fixed employment. He has not actually applied but is only a guest for his health. Elder is sending him to a station today in place of a sick priest. If it should suit them both for him to remain, he would like to know if there is anything reproachable in him. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.