Elder, William Henry, Bishop of Natchez, Mississippi, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1863 April 19

Odin's letter of March 25 reached Elder yesterday. His letter from Genoa of August 20 reached him November 14. It was the first intimation he had of any gathering of their bishops in the Holy City. He will gladly come to New Orleans if he can rely on getting back without a hindrance. He wonders if Odin could obtain from the authorities a promise to allow him to return. If he had any prospects of getting the Christian Brothers he would go even to New York. Odin could probably get a similar permission for a Sister of Charity, the Superior of their asylum - with the liberty in her case to bring provisions and clothing for the 101 orphan children that they have in Natchez, of whom 85 are girls. Her name is Sister Mary Thomas McSweegan, S.C.. Father Julian M. Guillou, whom he sent to Corinth last April, contracted a sickness from exposure which ended in his death February 7. Four of their priests have died in the last 12 months; two from attending the army. Elder will write to Bishop Augustus Martin of Natchitoches and Bishop John Quinlan of Mobile. Perhaps he can bring their answers to New Orleans. The church of Augusta Georgia was to be consecrated on Low Sunday. Bishop John McGill, and Quinlan were to be there. He is to bless a church in Port Gibson next Sunday. Two other small churches are about building, one at Brookhaven and a better one at Columbus. He had a letter from Bishop Martin who, as senior suffragan, had appointed Father Patrick Reilly, administrator of Little Rock. Elder knows very little about Father Charles J.H. Carter and Father William O'Hara. The former he has heard spoken of as rather dry and severe. Probably he would not be popular. Archbishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Baltimore knows them better. He wonders what their sentiments are about the great struggle that is going on. This is a very essential consideration. Elder knows of none to suggest. The difficulty of finding good subjects for the episcopacy is a most striking and practical argument for great exertion in favor of ecclesiastical education. He wonders if Odin could let them have some good seminarians from his large number. Father John McCloskey of Emmitsburg seems to be well qualified but the Archbishop knows best. ` Enclosure: A clipping from The Weekly Courier of February 11, 1863 of the account of Guillou's death. :: VI-2-g A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.