Neithart, C.SS.R., Father Benedict A., New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bishop Francis Xavier Leray, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1880 May 18

Last Sunday evening as Leray was leaving, Neithart requested the Father Minister of the Redemptorist Fathers to present him $50, but he reminded him that he could not expend more than $20 without the express approval of their domestic Council. He authorized Father Henry Giesen, C.SS.R., to give what he could then dispose of in his own name and then secured permission to raise the sum to $50 and charged Giesen to present it with the necessary apology. In regard to their Sisters of Mercy, he hopes Leray will not forget to caution Father Gustave A. Rouxel to be on his guard during the Bishop's absence. Mother Mary Austin Carroll, S.M. , is the most clever and cunning politician. He has yet to meet the first Irish priest or Bishop she has not wound around her little finger. Meanwhile she can brook no opposition to her ambitious schemes and continues to write the most insulting letters to Neithart and everyone whom she suspects of not admiring her. She boasts openly that Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché, Bishop John Quinlan and other high dignitaries are entirely for her and against them. Neithart merely desires three points to be enforced: 1. the annual visitation by the Ordinary or his delegate; 2. the election of the Mother Superior according to Rule and Customs; and 3. the subjection of branch houses in other dioceses to the Bishops of those dioceses. These matters will have to be settled at the retreat in August when all the professed Sisters are in the habit of assembling at New Orleans from Biloxi, Pensacola, Warrenton, etc. He wishes Leray a safe journey and a happy return. :: VI-3-b A.L.S. 4pp. 12mo.