Elder, William Henry, Coadjutor Bishop, Cincinnati, Ohio to Bishop Francis Xavier Leray, Chateaugiron, Ile et Vilaine, France, 1880 June 15

He hopes that today he may write Cardinal John Simeoni what he thinks about Leray's business, but it is hard for him to express his thought in Latin. For fear of a delay, he writes Leray. As he believes a great deal can be done by persons of influence, he recommends that Leray ascertain from Monsignor Louis E. Hostlot Hosstot what persons will be most serviceable. The best one Elder is acquainted with is Bishop Achille Rinaldini. He was a long time engaged in the Propaganda and for a while had special charge of the American business. He was their professor of Moral when Elder was in the Propaganda and has always taken a very friendly interest in him. The simple and obvious course would be for Pope Leo XIII, to require from Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché a strict account at least of the money obtained for those bonds. To Elder the whole affair is a mystery. Perché is certainly a conscientious man, a devout man. He has not done anything with dishonest intentions. From his explanation of the past, a judgment can be formed of his intentions for the future. If the Sovereign Pontiff concludes to leave things in Perché's hands, Leray may be very happy to be freed from all responsibility. With regard to Natchez, if Leray can obtain the speedy appointment of Father Francis Janssens, he will be a valuable member added to the Province. Archbishop James Gibbons said a suggestion had been made of him for Galveston which is no doubt a more important see. But it will be easier to find one suited to Galveston than to Natchez, and Galveston has more need of an American, if a good one can be found. In Natchez the clergy are almost all foreign and there is no material yet to form an American priesthood. Leray will find Ella B. Edes Eads a sensible woman. She is very earnest, reliable, sincerely seeking the good of religion. Elder hopes to write to her soon. VI-3-b - A.L.S. - 4pp. - 12mo. - {11}