Elder, William Henry, Bishop of, Natchez, Mississippi, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1866 March 12

With regard to the enquiries made by the Sacred Congregation concerning Spiritism : In the diocese of Natchez, Elder has no knowledge of its being much exercised. Several years ago there had been some of it. He suspects it is somewhat practised by non-Catholics but rather privately. A convert from the Episcopal denomination related that she had been using it after the death of her first husband and in getting information about her sons in the army. As for their doctrines, Elder thinks there is great diversity. He cites examples of which he has heard. He has heard of a man named Davis who wrote a large volume under the movement of spirits. Two years ago he found in a Catholic house, a small manual of the spiritists written by a Mr. Ballou of New England. Ten years ago he saw numbers of a periodical published in Cincinnati by a Dr. Buchanan. Elder finds that Odin's letter was received July 12, 1864, the day before he handed in to the Commander his long letter about the prayer for the President. He was continually engrossed with that correspondence until he was sent to Vidalia. He neglected to attend to his Eminence's request; he forgot it. :: VI-2-k A.L.S. 5pp. 4to.