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Scope and Contents Elder seeks information concerning Father John Scollard of Jackson, Louisiana who writes that a prominent Catholic of Woodville in the diocese of Natchez had enquired whether Scollard could attend that congregation. In a couple of weeks Elder expects to consult with the priest who now serves Woodville. Meanwhile, he wishes to know if he can rely on Scollard. The Catholics there are few and well disposed, but they are keenly sensitive to anything that could give discredit to their religion....

Scope and Contents Elder received Leray's letter of the 28th. Elder had told Father Philip Huber he could collect in two places below Leray, Mr. Dougherty offered to loan Huber his horse. Elder told Huber not to interfere with Leray's arrangements. Elder is sorry Father Mathurin Chapin should have spoken so absolutely. Bishop Martin wrote Elder in 1857 requesting him to keep other persons away. Elder does not want to become involved, but probaly he will see Martin this week. He will write him if Leray finds it...

Scope and Contents If it is not too late he asks Rousselon to apologize for him to the exiled Bishop from Mexico. He did not know they had come until about 2 weeks ago and then he understood they had departed again. Only last night after his arrival at Jackson did he learn from Father Francis Pont that probably they were still at New Orleans. Had he known of their arrival he would have gone if possible to meet them and he would do so even now if it would serve to alleviate their affliction. Pont tells him that...

Scope and Contents In the summer McFarland wrote that one or any of Elder's priests could solicit in the diocese. When he saw McFarland at the Council he did not expect to do it personally but now he may be obliged to do so. He is undecided but wishes to know if that would be agreeable to McFarland. Bishop John Baptist Lamy starts for New York and sails for Europe on the 17th. He carries the documents of the Second Plenary Council . The theologian, Father Joseph M. Coudert accompanies him. Elder will probably...

Scope and Contents Elder passed through New Orleans yesterday on his way to visit here. Father John Quinlan has been appointed to Mobile, and his bulls are expected shortly. Archbishop Anthony Blanc said that Purcell had been inviting him to Cincinnati. He is loath to go but might on such an occasion as Wuinlan's consecration if Purcell invited him. Elder had been promising his visitation since May and how does not expect to finish before November. They have a smart, good girl of 12 in Natchez who has some...

Scope and Contents Elder reached here last night. His letter had not been received and they were not expecting him. Consequently he will not return tonight as intended. He will give Confirmation here and at Pass Christian tomorrow and then to Regales to take the mail boat and reach New Orleans Sunday morning. The ticket office told Elder that from the 6th there will be two trains north and the time will be three days and 9 hours to New York. This would give Elder time to stop a little in Baltimore. An Italian...

Scope and Contents He has no doubt that Father Basil Elia is with Leray and he trusts that Leray has been relieved of the suffering he complained of in his letter of the 25th. He hopes to be able to let either Elia or some other priest remain. But he wishes a more definite arrangement of their respective duties. If Elia continues to attend the hospital it does not seem right that he should have the chief share of the other sick calls. He has not yet succeeded in getting any more money for Leray abut will...

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He asks Rousselon to send over any letter which comes for him. He goes tomorrow to Pass Christian, on the 11th to Biloxi and on the 18th to Pascagoula. After the 23rd he will return to New Orleans. :: VI-2-d A.L.S. 1p. 8vo.

Scope and Contents Father Henry Georget wishes him to give Sunday to the congregation at Ocean Springs and from his account of the state of things he thinks this would be serviceable to religion. He hopes it will not interfere with the arrangements for ordination if he defers his return to New Orleans till July 1. Since he has to be in Woodville on July 7, he will have to leave on the evening of the 4th. He wonders if it would not be well for Odin to write a letter of expostulation to some of their Northern...

Scope and Contents He asks to make use of Purcell's permission through a proxy. Mrs. Gordon has better prospects than ever before of obtaining a church at Woodville. Their pastor, Father Philip Huber is willing to devote himself to the work of collecting and of building. A large portion has already been raised in Woodville and in the Diocese. His second plea is for himself, since a large part of his debts contracted for educating priests last year and for their travelling expenses remain unpaid. Even some of...

Scope and Contents Some days ago Elder wrote Perche proposing three names for Natchitoches . Since then he has received more satisfactory information in favor of Father Ludovic Enaut Enault. Even in the quarters from which he got the previous name Enault was mentioned as having every other qualification except age. He is told now that he has been a priest eight years or more and enjoyed the esteem of Bishop Auguste Marie Martin . Some of the bishops wish to have a bishop whose native tongue is English. Elder...

Scope and Contents He understands that Homer D. B. Campbell who has been at his house in Natchez has left for Cincinnati. Fearing that he might use certain civil letters which Elder wrote him as a recommendation to the seminary, he writes to tell Purcell that such was not his intention. He asks that Purcell not encourage him but tell him that he has heard from Elder. Campbell was formerly an Anglican clergyman at Kingston, Canada and was received into the church by Bishop O'Farrell of Hamilton. This is a...

Scope and Contents He asks Odin whether he would be justified in applying the legacy of James H. Behan to his pressing debts, rather than using the interest as Behan had requested in his will. The money would do much more good if applied immediately. Bishop Peter Paul Lefevere has returned home from a mission with a sprained ankle. Bishop James Duggan of Chicago has been ill, but not confined to bed. Elder preached a retreat at Notre Dame, Indiana to a few priests and about 100 brothers. Father Edward Sorin,...

Scope and Contents Elder is well and has come here to try to make some arrangements to supply the spiritual wants of the men. Father Julian M. Guillou met so little encouragement that he went home. Elder hopes to bring him back. He saw Father Felix Dicharry Dichiarry last Sunday. He is in good health. Elder thinks of visiting some of the other bishops to consult about spiritual necessities. He left home May 5. Odin can address letters care of Father Patrick F. Coyle, female College Hospital, Corinth. :: VI-2-f...

Scope and Contents Since writing the enclosed, Elder has started twice to go to Woodville but the Homochitto is impassable because of the rains. Elder has a letter from Eugene Rochereau of Paris in which he writes that the money Philip Rotchford deposited with him to Elder's account, 12,304 francs, he paid to Odin on Rotchford's order July 23, 1863. Elder supposes this was money Rotchford owed Odin. Elder inquires if Rotchford said anything to Odin about the manner in which he intended furnishing the money to...

Scope and Contents Odin's favor of the 28th reached him last evening. Since April 8 he was at home only once for a few hours. On his approach to Natchez he learns that no egress is allowed but to those that take the oath of allegiance. Father Mathurin H. Grignon is in town; he has applied for an exception for Elder. Elder goes to Woodville tomorrow and to visit his brother John Elder above Baton Rouge. Elder has thought of writing again to President Abraham Lincoln. His former letter was entrusted by Father...

Scope and Contents He is sorry that Purcell did not see the obligation in justice to have the errors in the Catholic Telegraph corrected. The Bishop did not write what the Telegraph says he did. It is not true that a Bishop has written that all clergymen not in charge of congregations have been taken in the army. The article can do harm to the whole body of Catholics in the South. It appears that the Bishop is adding to the prejudices already existing in the north against the south. These were the reasons why...

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If any more letters arrive for Elder, Purcell is to send them to Father Francis J. Goetz, Dayton who will know his address. Elder presumes that the appointment to give the retreat conveyed faculties to hear confessions without particular limitation. If they were not included, he asks for them now. :: II-5-d A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Elder did not get to see Bishop Patrick N. Lynch when leaving Philadelphia. Bishop John McGill said Lynch was to be in Cincinnati today. Consequently, Elder planned to go to Chicago next Sunday. Elder prefers the retreat begin the 23rd. so that he may remain until Saturday morning, when he must return to Chicago for Sunday. He is glad to hear that Purcell has a wise and experienced priest to hear confession. He would prefer that he hear them all, but Elder will hear those that come to him....

Scope and Contents General B. B. Simmes of Louisiana is inquiring for a governess for his children. Purcell formerly recommended such a person and now Elder desires to know her whereabouts in order to aid Simmes, who, though a Catholic, fears his children are not receiving enough Catholic influence. Mrs. Simmes is an Episcopalian. When three of the daughters left St. Joseph's at Emmittsburg Mrs. Simmes sent the two eldest to Mrs. Philips' near Baltimore. They have now returned home. Simmes wants the governess...

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 Elder is preparing a pastoral letter for Lent. He would be glad to see a copy of the Acts of the Provincial Council. The best way he knows to publish his letter will be through the Baltimore Mirror. Perhaps Odin could send him a proof sheet of the Acts. Elder expects to go to Vicksburg immediately after Christmas. The point of Elder's letter concerning the Council of Trent is not met by those documents Odin sent. There remains a difference of opinion and practice. The law extends to the...

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He encloses a check for $25 which he asks Odin to send to Archbishop Francis Patrick Kenrick of Baltimore. He owes the Seminary of Baltimore, Father J. Paul Debreul, $143.44 which he asked Thomas Layton to send. He writes him now that if he has not yet sent it he might ask Odin to send it with his remittance to the Archbishop. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He apologizes for the delay in informing Odin of his return. He encloses a statement of the expenses of Father P. Reculon, S.M. . Part of their delay in arriving was a detour through Richmond and the inability to get through tickets to Vicksburg. He had wanted to see Bishop John McGill in Richmond concerning the legacy of Behan . He understands the will has gone through Chancery in England, but that individual legacies must be paid out by the Executors before the final distribution. Thus, it...

Scope and Contents He has just received word that his copy of the Bollandists is about to arrive. He asks Odin to put the papers in the hands of the person who took charge of his. He also heard that they could pass free of duty as professional books. If so, he will take them as such. If on the other hand they must come as belonging to St. Joseph's Day- School for Young Ladies at Natchez , he will give them to the school. He would rather pay duty or lose the books than make a statement which would not be...

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He introduces Mrs. Glassburn and Miss Perrault, two worthy ladies from his diocese who are going to New Orleans seeking funds for the orphans. He asks Odin to aid them as much as possible. He is continually grateful for the aid which New Orleans has given his diocese in the past. :: VI-2-n A.L.S. 2pp. 12mo.