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Scope and Contents Byrne has been in the western part of the diocese for nearly the last two months. Blanc's communication calling the first provincial council has reached him, also the death of the Bishop of Natchez through the papers. Byrne will have to spend Christians time in this place and leave by land immediately after for Little Rock on his way to the Council. The institutions here are gaining ground every day. The Sisters of Mercy had an examination and concert last Tuesday which satisfied the most...

Scope and Contents This is the first line Byrne has been able to write since September. He thanks Blanc for his invitation to visit New Orleans in order to gain strength. He will leave for Little Rock as soon as he can get a boat. Father Richard Nagle is a most disobedient and refractory priest. Byrne last August removed him from Post Arkansas and Napoleon to act as an assistant to Father Patrick McGowan of New Gascony. When Nagle received the letter he started on horseback for Little Rock where he informed...

Scope and Contents Byrne reached here last week after suffering much from the waters of the Ohio and Mississippi. He finds it necessary to stay until after Christmas. He feels the loss of Father Patrick Behan . About the unfortunate to whom Blanc refers, Byrne cannot to anything for him and it is useless for him to apply after withdrawing and knowing that Byrne has not the slightest doubt of his guilt. His accomplice has acknowledged that she swore falsely before a magistrate at Little Rock. She had been...

Scope and Contents Byrne received Blanc's letter before he left Little Rock. Father Joseph P.? Burke proceeded as far as Washington in this state for Texas but returned and expressed a strong wish to be received into this diocese. Byrne could not think of having anything to do with him as Burke's conduct was anything but what becomes a priest; he left for New Orleans or Cincinnati. Byrne has been in this direction for some days giving 2 or 3 families an opportunity to approach the Sacraments. He does not...

Scope and Contents Blanc's last letter was forwarded. He will not be able to visit Blanc because duty compels him to proceed to Fort Smith and other places via Little Rock. He needs priests and postulants for the Convents of the Sisters of Mercy, and will have to visit Ireland. He has a few students in Carlow College preparing for the priesthood. 30 copies of the Pastoral are to be left at Donnelly's Book Store. Byrne will send the collection for the American College at Rome to Blanc when it is taken up. P.S....

Scope and Contents Byrne has received both Blanc's favors containing $100 each and the deed. He will see that 1000 of the intentions be not discharged until after the death of Father Constantine Maenhaut . Byrne has been almost a cripple for the last three weeks in consequence of his horse falling and pitching Byrne over his head. It terminated in a severe rupture. He fears he cannot travel much on horseback for some time. The Sisters of Mercy have commenced their school but there is much bigotry among a class...

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After returning from Fort Smith Byrne was called to another portion of his diocese which prevented him from answering Blanc's favor of October 27. His impression is that February would be the most convenient for the Council. Byrne has no objection to its postponement to 1860. Byrne hopes that Blanc is now perfectly restored. :: VI-1-o A.L.S. 1p. 4to.

Scope and Contents Blanc's favor brought the news of the death of Bishop Portier. Byrne would like to visit Blanc before he leaves for Ireland. If he does not reach Blanc about the 9th he will be in Helena preparing for his trip. For names to recommend to Rome for Mobile Byrne suggests Bishop William Henry Elder and to fill Natchez: Father James Andrew Corcoran of Charleston; Father Patrick Stanton, Commissary O.S.A., Philadelphia; Father William Starrs, Vice-General, New York, whose name was slandered by some...

Scope and Contents Absence has prevented Byrne from answering Blanc's letter containing the deed of Father Constantine Maenhaut ; he thanks Blanc and Maenhaut for their interest in the establishment of religion in this diocese. Byrne had to remain over 2 months between Fort Smith and Van Buren and will have to return as soon as possible. The College has been neglected and will require much attention to bring it to life again. The new convent at Fort Smith had 36 pupils when Byrne left. The Sisters of Mercy...

Scope and Contents On his arrival here from Fort Smith, Byrne found Blanc's last favor. In the case of Dr. Levi Silliman Ives, Byrne at present does not have the means to do what he would desire. Circumstanses are very limited in a pecuniary point of view. Two trips lately to Fort Smith have cost him more than he received in his diocese for the last 12 months. When he has the means of meeting the desire of the Holy Father and Blanc, he will not be wanting. Blanc had severe trials in the loss of so many...

Scope and Contents Byrne received Blanc's letter of the 10th only a few days ago; he thanks Blanc for his interest in this diocese. There must be a mistake about the value of Father Constantine Maenhaut 's property here. Byrne will say Masses for Maenhaut and his intention as soon as the property be valued. Byrne has 4 priests that would begin immediately and Byrne would secure to them the rent of the brick house to be equally divided until the entire obligation be discharged. Byrne sends respects to Maenhaut...

Scope and Contents In reply to Blanc's last favor, Byrne stated that there must be a mistake in the value of the entire property of Father Constantine Maenhaut in Little Rock and that Byrne would be satisfied to leave the valuation to any 2 or 3 men here, appointed by Maenhaut. Byrne encloses a certificate given by Judge Lincoln, the agent of Maenhaut. If Maenhaut does not agree to give Byrne the property at the valuation of his own agent, Byrne authorizes Blanc to offer 2 or $300 more. He does this that the...

Scope and Contents Being in the country prevented Byrne from answering Blanc's last favor. He will take Blanc's advice and accept the property on the conditions offered by Father Constantine Maenhaut . He will send Blanc a document next week, binding himself to discharge the obligation. He hopes to see it fulfilled in a few years. He will distribute the Masses to all his priests. He encloses a receipt for $150 for Masses for Father Peter Francis Beauprez; they will be a great assistance. The good Archbishop of...

Scope and Contents Byrne received Blanc's letter and since it is Blanc's desire that a new diocese be formed of the upper part of Louisiana, Byrne fully concurs. Regarding the three clergymen Blanc mentions, Byrne knows only one but he has confidence in Blanc's judgment. Should Blanc stand in need of one who has devoted 28 years on the American mission, Byrne would suggest Father John Barry, vicar general of Savannah. He is distinguished for piety and zeal and is well acquainted with the southern people. Byrne...

Scope and Contents He had hoped when Blanc's last letter came to be able to visit New Orleans before leaving for the Council. He is sorry he has no place for the young man Blanc mentions. It is with the greatest difficulty that he can provide for the few in the seminary and Catholics are so few and scattered. He does not have means to enclose the convent grounds with a close fence, which is absolutely necessary to be done before his departure for Baltimore. He is obliged to send Father John O'Reilly to make an...

Scope and Contents After Byrne's return from the east with 9 Sisters of Mercy for Helena, he was obliged to remain there for a few weeks and so did not receive Blanc's letter until he reached home. Byrne always believed the vows of the Visitation Nuns in this country to be solemn. This is confirmed by a document lately found in the Archives of Baltimore from one of the Popes declaring them to be so. In consequence of the state of money affairs Byrne is hard put to meet his engagements at Helena in the purchase...

Scope and Contents Blanc has no doubt received The Annals for May containing the yearly distribution of alms to each diocese. Byrne is down as receiving 8196 francs when he has only received 2400. This mistake is very injurious. He has almost made up his mind to request the Society to omit his diocese and trust to friends east and south to support a poor Bishop who does not receive $100 in twelve months. Had he 2000 Catholics in his diocese embracing 55,000 square miles, he would not complain but when he finds...

Scope and Contents It would be better to wait for the meeting of the Bishops in council to answer the questions. Byrne is much opposed to mixed marriages. He fear that more restrictions in faculties will drive nominal Catholics to associate more with the heterodox. The sum mentioned in the Annals of the Association of the Propagation of the Faith was first intended to be given to Byrne's diocese but the officers changed their minds and gave 2400 francs. Byrne would not feel it so much if they had not placed...

Scope and Contents Byrne encloses no enclosure all he can do for the young priest who never had charge of a mission or congregation in Byrne's diocese. When Byrne permitted him after years of trouble and expense, to visit his mother, he had had advisers among young priests in New York and he is stubborn. He told Father William Starrs that he took a wrong step. His design was to force Byrne for he wanted at the last Council to proceed with the Bishop of California. Three weeks ago, he was in excellent health,...

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Byrne has just returned from the northwest counties of the diocese where he had been since September. As he left Fort Smith, he learned of Blanc's accident at Donaldsonville. He now finds that Blanc is recovering. Blanc has met with such affliction in the deaths of so many clergymen. :: VI-1-o A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents Byrne returned home yesterday from New York where he went last month with two Sisters of Mercy on their way to Ireland to select subjects. Blanc's favors would have been sooner acknowledged had he not been absent. If the first on the list from the Council for Natchez be not confirmed, Byrne would be glad if the first on Blanc's private list be appointed. This would vex the Metropolitan who meddles too much with the business of others. There is not a more efficient and exemplary priest than...

Scope and Contents Byrne received Blanc's letter and handed the letter directed to Blanc from Ireland to the young man for whom it was intended. It would have afforded the greatest gratification to be present at the presentation of the pallium but the uncertainty of finding another boat and to avoid the expense of reshipping at Napoleon hastened his departure. the Sisters of Mercy are well; they are thankful to the Ursulines for the hospitality extended when they arrived. Blanc would be doing a great favor if...

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As Byrne returned last Saturday from visiting the few Catholics on the river he found that Father Thomas McKeone has left for New Orleans against a positive prohibition. He has formed too many acquaintances in New Orleans and not only desires to be among them but has influenced others to leave this poor diocese. Blanc will do a service by refusing McKeone permission to exercise the ministry there. :: V-5-f A.L.S. 1p. 8vo.

Scope and Contents Blanc's letter announcing the death of Father Thomas McKeone was before him yesterday as he returned from a visit to two of the southern counties. When Blanc's favor for McKeone to visit Ireland reached Little Rock Byrne was on the borders of Red River where he passed almost the entire Lent. It was a happy circumstance that McKeone did not attempt to go to sea. Byrne rode over 500 miles and found only 2 Catholic families. He was obliged to break up the little seminary as the receipts would...

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Within the last week, Byrne has refused to marry a couple who probably will attempt to deceive one of Blanc's clergymen. The parties are John Gracie and Mrs. Joseph who has been only a few months divorced from her husband. The husband now lives in Philadelphia. On the back of the letter in another hand: Boot-maker William Hogan married to Helene Murphy. Father Weelher knows Sister? Murphy of St. Louis. V-5-k - A.L.S. - 2pp. - 4to. - {5}

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Byrne reached home this morning. He felt quite indisposed all the way up the Mississippi but hopes to recover. He would be glad if the clergyman who remains unoccupied would come before Easter that Byrne might place him in the college before he leaves for the Council. He leaves in a few days for Fort Smith to be enabled to return for Holy Week. V-5-k - A.L.S. - 1p. - 4to. - {1}

Scope and Contents Within the last few days, Byrne has succeeded in effecting the purchase of the sixteenth section with the buildings thereon lately occupied by the U.S. troops and situated between Fourteenth and Van Buren. The location is one of the very best in the western country for institutions. The buildings and improvements must have cost the United States four times the amount it has cost Byrne. He has signed articles of agreement and to meet the terms he must ask Blanc to loan him five hundred...

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The bearer, Father Thomas McKeon is recommended to visit New Orleans for a few weeks; Byrne hopes the change of climate will soon benefit his health. Byrne is struggling in the midst of difficulties but his confidence is in God. :: V-5-e A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents Byrne has received Blanc's letter and excellent pastoral. He could do nothing for the student who came from Charleston; he left for Memphis. Byrne did not think that this place was so involved in debt. There is a little church and Sisters' house for which about $2000 were subscribed; there remains over the buildings twice the amount they are worth. Half the property is in the name of Father Joseph Richardbole and the other half in the name of the Sisters. It was since Byrne's arrival that...

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Byrne congratulates Blanc on the happy termination of his difficulties with the trustees of St. Louis Cathedral . An attack of bilious fever confined Byrne to bed for a considerable time. He purchased lots for a church, etc. and requested Father John Corry to wait on the charitable for their contributions to commence the work. Byrne asks Blanc to afford Corry every facility in his power. :: V-5-b A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.