Elder, William Henry, Bishop of, Natchez, Mississippi, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1866 May 9

Father Mathurin F. Grignon is going down to the coast. If Odin has a place which would be suitable to his health and agreeable to Grignon's wishes, Elder would not object to his accepting it for a year or longer. He deserves an easier place than Elder can give him; he has not suggested it to Grignon for fear he might feel hurt. The Redemptorists who are giving the mission say that they think their order would gladly labor among the negroes but their Father General wrote them to let the Bishops determine what is to be done. Elder sees no advantage in the proposition of an Apostolic Prefect for the negroes but they ought to make no unnecessary delay about doing what they can for them. Whatever efforts are made now will give experience to judge by at the Council. :: VI-2-k A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.