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Scope and Contents Bishop Elder acknowledges $28. he has received from McMaster. The people of the South, especially the Catholics, should never forget the great charity that has been shown them by this and other remittances. That amount passing through Elder's hands alone has been sufficient to alleviate suffering in many parts of Mississippi where the fever has reached. This money has also aided in other parts where desolation has indirectly resulted from the interruption of business by the fever or...

Scope and Contents Dr. Henry S. Hewit, a Catholic surgeon in General Grant's army, told Elder last month he would write to Purcell suggesting that some religious be sent to Vicksburg and other places to take care of colored orphans. Elder approved this action. Elder asks Purcell to send some priests for the Negroes. He has taken care of many baptisms and deaths but there are only two priests in Natchez Elder and the pastor. There is only one priest at Vicksburg and many Negroes die before the priests can see...

Scope and Contents This is presented by Father Philip Huber . Purcell's letter of Jan. 17 was received and Elder thanks him for his charity, which Huber now goes to avail himself of. Since Purcell has so many good works of his own to think of, Elder is glad that Huber is not the kind who would extort contributions in such a way as to diminish the means or disposition for works at home. He is faithful and hard working; Mt. St. Mary's is responsible for a good part of his training. Huber is an example of the...

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He asks Purcell to add his name to the list of Bishops signing the document to be sent to the German Bishops. He is glad to have the opportunity of expressing his abhorrence for the tyranny so prevalent in these days of boasted liberty. He thanks God that liberty still has friends willing to suffer in her cause. :: II-5-f A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.

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If the appointment of Father Edward Fitzgerald as Bishop of Little Rock is certain, Purcell is to hand an enclosed letter to Fitzgerald. Cardinal Barnabo said the appointment had been made and the Bulls sent to the Archbishop of New Orleans. To date he has not received them. :: II-5-c A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Father Matthew Hart of New Haven has recommended Father W. Lambert of Philadelphia who left Philadelphia through disagreement with the Bishop of Philadelphia. Hart says that he has given satisfaction in McFarland's diocese. Elder would keep him if McFarland has more priests than he can use. Elder asks McFarland to find out if there is another cause for his leaving. They have need of priests but they must be reliable men, free from the danger of giving scandal. Also he asks if McFarland is...

Scope and Contents McMaster's telegram to Elder reached New Orleans after Elder had left there but Bishop F.X. Leray of Natchitoches, Louisiana forwarded its contents to Elder under the permission of McMaster. The telegram was as follows, "The Holy Father yesterday mailed you Elder the cross of Cincinnati, Ohio. Elder thanks McMaster for informing him and hopes that the results of the appointment will be successful in the sight of God. Elder will offer his Mass for all those to whom he is indebted. ::...

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By this letter Bishop Elder gives permission to Bennett to receive tonsure and all orders, minor and sacred, from the Archbishop of Cincinnati or any other bishop when the superior of Mt. St. Mary's Seminary at Cincinnati shall decide. To this he affixes his episcopal seal. Found in the papers of Archbishop John Baptist Purcell. :: II-5-c A.L.S. Latin 1p. 8vo.

Scope and Contents Elder received Purcell's letter of Jan. 25th. Because of Purcell's mentioning Bennett in his letter, Elder was wondering if he should bring him into the diocese but he now has learned that the Conscript law in the Confederacy exempts only those clergymen "licensed to preach" by 1862 and as Bennett would be liable for conscription anywhere except at Natchez or Vicksburg Elder wants him to stay and be ordained by Purcell until he can find a place for him at either of the above cities. Elder's...

Scope and Contents Elder received Purcell's letter of Feb. 27th on March 10th with the enclosed letter from Europe and he thanks him and Father Daniel O'Regan. He is glad Purcell did not take offense at his previous letter and would have written this one sooner but the new Commander, General James Tuttle has been asking for the prayer for the Public Authorities. Elder just saw an item which appeared in the Catholic Telegraph, and encloses it, which states that a Southern Bishop warns them against encouraging...

Scope and Contents Elder believes he can arrange to get as far as Louisville and perhaps to Cincinnati by July 1st. He would prefer to make his own retreat first and give the other afterwards. If this suits Purcell, he will please make arrangements and let Elder know the dates of the beginning and end. He asks Purcell to write as soon as possible because he must leave Natchez on June 12th to attend to his own business. It has been suggested that all the clergymen in the country contribute $5 as a testimonial...

Scope and Contents Elder asks Permission to again solicit during the summer or early fall. Some of his creditors are in need of their payments, although half of his debts were taken care of by last year's collections. Elder is afraid that some of his obligations must be met before he goes to the Council. He would like to continue his visitations before starting for Europe. A cable has been received from Europe announcing that Archbishop John M. Odin and company have arrived in France. Elder is advised to go...

Scope and Contents Elder is sorry that the poor Negroes after all find so few friends who are willing to labor for their welfare. The Sunday before Christmas he spent at Woodville where he saw Mrs. Gordon and Mrs. Posey; the latter is plunged in grief at the death of her husband who was wounded in Virginia and died Nov. 13th at Charlottesville. His son, a lieutenant on his staff, who had become a Catholic at Spring Hill College, baptized his Father before he died. A little before the war Elder sent to the...

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He has not given retreats except in a very familiar was — talking over the subject of meditation. He cannot promise himself one just now as his vicar general is away. But he will come if Purcell cannot get anyone better. Elder thinks their "ticket" a pretty strong one. The Bishop John M. Odin of Galveston begged to be let off. As to the person who is Purcell's preference, he has no fluency with French. :: II-5-a A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo.

Scope and Contents He received Purcell's invitation to his Golden Jubilee. He would be delighted to join in the happy festival, but must do so at a distance. He will remember Purcell at Mass between now and then, not only on that day, to thank God for all the blessings He has given Purcell and through him to others. He has had his share of the benefits that He has enabled Purcell to confer on others. From the night he first reached the Mountain in Mr. Livers' old stage he was one of Purcell's children and all...

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He wrote to Father F. Pont at Jackson, Mississippi ; he is nearer the point where Purcell lost his carpet bag than any other person and he knows some of the men on the trains. Elder is just starting for their Provincial Council. :: II-5-a A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He begs leave to sollicit contributions in Purcell's diocese. He needs money for his orphans. In a town of only 4,000, there are 160 orphans. Many more are applying for admission as a result of the yellow fever. He has many debts as a result of two crops failures. He has no means to do anything effective for the colored people. All through the country there is want and destitution. The Sisters fear they will have to give up the children. He knows Purcell has his own wants, but charity grows...

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Bishop Elder thanks McMaster for his kindness to Mr. Oliver on his way to the Propaganda. Oliver has written him telling of McMaster's aid in obtaining accomodations, a passport, and other favors. Elder hopes that McMaster will have the satisfaction of knowing that Mr. Oliver is greatly profiting by his opportunities to fit himself for the sacred priesthood. :: I-2-c A.L.S. 1p. 12mo

Scope and Contents If agreeable he will take advantage of the permission granted by McFarland in February. He proposes being with him by may 17 and asks to begin at the Cathedral if that is agreeable. There is a possible contingency that the same day would be the consecration of Bishop William O'Hara at which he has promised to assist. A private letter from Father H.L. Wright in Rome of March 28 says that Father William McCloskey would be consecrated Low Sunday and bring the bulls with him for the others. Next...

Scope and Contents Elder is compelled to appeal for help. Bishop Frederick Wood has permitted him to beg there. He would like to beg in McFarland's jurisdiction. He realizes that the winter had been hard in the north as well as the south but he wishes to state his case. Their orphans, especially the boys under the Brothers of the Sacred Heart do not have the means to buy provisions and clothes. They are not able to pay their store bills of last year. The failure of the crops has hindered their contributions to...

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On Purcell's proposal in New Orleans last winter several of them agreed to say five Masses for each one who should die. As Elder is acting as secretary, he begs Purcell not to forget this sad duty in behalf of ArchbishopAnthony Blanc of New Orleans. He will leave for Baltimore on Friday. :: II-5-a A.L.S. 1pg. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He has been tempted to write to McFarland three or four times. McFarland has provided a sensation with the great ordination, the largest ever held in the United States. The deed speaks of the future of the Church in the diocese and the country. Elder thanks the Bishop for his and his clergy's hospitality. He has received several letters that have been forwarded from Providence. If more come he is to send them to Father James Keveny, St. Peter's Church, Troy. He goes to St. Mary's, Father...

Scope and Contents Elder reminds Purcell that when he wrote to Purcell last winter asking permission to solicit funds in Cincinnati, Purcell told him that Bishop Patrick N. Lynch was expected on a similar errand. Elder desires to know what Lynch has done since then. The charity of Philadelphia helped Elder a great deal. Elder paid off one-sixth of the mortgage on the school house, but there is $350 more to pay each six months. Several priests of the diocese are asking for help. Even money for Elder's...

Scope and Contents Elder thanks Purcell for his consent to solicit in the diocese of Cincinnati. His visitation has been lengthened owing to the lack of railroads and the scattered condition of his people and missionaries. He will not be able to go in person to Cincinnati, as he cannot have more than a few days before his necessary departure for the Council. There are yet three churches for which Elder has given heavy personal obligations by notes and verbal engagements. One of these has had three suits,...

Scope and Contents He implores Purcell let there not be any division between them. For the sake of the Church let them not show their differences of opinion before the world. Elder did not intend his last letter to be angry; he intended it to be frank. If Purcell reads the correction he sent to the Catholic Mirror dispassionately, he will be pleased with its moderation. His mention of Rome was not intended as a threat. He humbly begs Purcell to forgive him for any offense that he may have been guilty of. He...

Scope and Contents He explains his delay in answering by the number of visitors they had to entertain. For a week they had Father Secchi, S.J. who took them on trips. Another was Bishop Hughes of Gibraltar who told them of his own persecutions. Prof. Scholz of Bonn, member of the Noble College, the Prince brother of the King of Naples, Monsignor Brunelli also came. One day the Holy Father Himself came for half a day, along with many who came to see him, such as the General of the Jesuits. He described other...

Scope and Contents Elder writes to Purcell asking for information concerning the establishment of a Boys Orphan Asylum. The widow of the Testator gave the diocese a note for $27,500 for a Catholic Asylum. Charge of the institution is to be taken by the Bishop of Natchez and for this reason Elder asks Purcell, who has within his diocese many institutions, for advice concerning trustees and power and the drawing up of the Constitution and By-Laws. Elder thanks Purcell for suggesting. Bishop John Quinlan to the...

Scope and Contents Elder noticed in one of our Catholic papers a paragraph stating that the United States was to exact a legacy tax on the diocese of Alton as bequeathed by the will of the late Bishop Henry Damian Juncker . Elder asks whether the letter Purcell read to him from someone in Washington Dec., 1866 could still be relied upon. That letter promised that the bequests of Bishop Juncker would not be taxed. He wishes to know if the letter is incorrect, if the statement in the papers is incorrect, or if...

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This letter makes Known Prof. James F. Edwards of the University of Notre Dame. Besides his professorial duties he has been energetic and highly successful in establishing the Bishops' Memorial Hall at the University: a collection of objects connected with the history of religion in America. Whatever O'Connell can do will be a service to the work he is doing for the University and for the Church. :: XI-1-g A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.

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Eldridge received Lefevere's letter enclosing a copy of the power of attorney, last evening. He is favorable impressed with the justice of Lefevere's application and will give his assistance to the passage of the bill. In doing so he believes he will oblige a large portion of his constituents. Sent from Senate chamber. :: III-2-h A.L.S. 1p. 8vo.