1874 July
Dwenger, Joseph, Bishop of Fort Wayne:
(Fort Wayne, Indiana)
to
(Archbishop John Baptist Purcell):
(of Cincinnati, Ohio)
Dwenger describes their pilgrimage from New York on. They were forced to share their rooms with some 30 others, some very objectionable. They held daily meditations, beads, morning and evening devotions, and celebrated, Masses in both cabins every morning except the first two. The officers were very kind; although there was some trouble with the objectionable passengers. Father Daly, S.J., and some ladies did not take part in the spiritual exercises on board ship. He describes their visit in Paris. They started for Lourdes Monday morning, where they remained two days. The week before they arrived a Boston lady was completely cured of paralysis. They left Thursday for Marseilles. They arrived at Civita Vecchia on Sunday. They arrived in Rome Monday morning and were received by the Pope, the following day. He made an address in Latin, Judge Theard in French, and the Holy Father answered them, said Mass for them the next morning, and gave them Communion. Cardinal Franchi was present at a reception at the American College and at a dinner given by Chatard. The Cardinal delivered a speech at the Scotch and Irish College and he met Cardinal De Lucca there. Cardinal Borromeo and the Catholic Circle gave them a reception Thursday evening. Msgr. Nerode, who invited the Americans, was the one who found and excavated the original basilica of St. Nereus and Achilles via Ardeatina. Sunday, Cardinal Franchi said Mass and preached. Msgr. Nerode gave them a breakfast and Commendators Rossi explained the basilica and catacombs of Sts. Nereus and Achilles. The Holy Father's health is very good. His kindness was shown by his gift of a very fine Chalice and Ciborium to Dwenger, and 12 more chalices for the poor churches of his diocese. Cardinal Franchi is young, active, intelligent and kind. Cardinal De Lucca, Msgrs. Nerode, Howard, Kirby, Stoner and Chatard were all very kind. Rome is a sad place. The day before the Pope's election anniversary the streets were blocked off, necessitating going a few miles to cross on the Sixtine bridge. Yesterday there was a Te Deum in St. Peter and afterward because some shouted "Viva Pius IX" some were arrested, among them six English ladies, one a relative of Gladstone's. The heat is very bad, and everyone feels dull and drowsy. This evening he leaves for Loretto and will go to Venice, Vienna, and Munich. He expects to be back the middle of August.
II-5-f - A.L.S. - 4pp. - 8vo. - {1}
1874 July 3
Chatard, Father S(ilas) M., Rector:
American College
Rome, Italy
to
Archbishop (John Baptist Purcell):
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
He calls Purcell's attention to a matter of interest to the college in its relations with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Perhaps an oversight on the part of the person charged with notifying the Prelates has caused him to omit informing Purcell that the expenses of Messrs Moeller and Brummer have not been paid since the first 6 months of 1872. He asks Purcell to forward to Brummer for his trip to America. Father Edward (Purcell) wrote, asking for the address of Mr. Gabriel King. King is no longer in Rome, but can be reached at the Stuttgart, Wurtemberg. The Holy Father is well. He sends regards to Father Edward (Purcell) and to the students at the Seminary. Father (John F.) Brummer leaves today.
II-5-f - A.L.S. - 3pp. - 12mo. - {2}
1874 July 7
Mac Carthy, John:
New York (City), (New York)
to
O(restes) A. Brownson:
Elizabeth, (New Jersey)
The writer wants an article very soon. He contemplates discontinuing the Tablet unless he gets assistance because the whole thing is on him. The last number of the Review was good. Mac Carthy "has stolen" the article on Apostles for the Tablet. Mac Carthy needs an article badly. He told (James) Sadlier that he could not carry on single-handed.
I-4-f - A.L.S. - 3pp. - 12mo. - {1}
1874 July 8
(Power), Thomas Joseph, Bishop of:
St. John's, N(ewfoundland)
to
Archbishop (John Baptist Purcell):
(of Cincinnati, Ohio)
He received Purcell's letter upon returning from a tour of the remote parts of his diocese. Mr. Boone had left Newfoundland before Power's arrival, and he has not had the opportunity to meet him. The father of this young ex-minister of the Church of England is a very worthy individual. Until recently he was rural Dean in his Church. Boone's brother is a very respectable lawyer in this town and is likely to become a Catholic. Boone was at first educated for the legal profession. He thinks Boone is a promising gentleman, one who has already endured many privations for the sake of truth. He is glad that he is under Purcell's eye. He supposes that after ten or twelve months in some college will be sufficient to ordain him into the Church.
II-5-f - A.L.S. - 4pp. - 12mo. - {1}
1874 July 9
(Tenney), Sarah (M. Brownson):
Eliz(abeth), N(ew) J(ersey)
to
Henry (F. Brownson):
(Detroit, Michigan)
The Tenneys are livings again with (Orestes A. Brownson). (Brownson) made the request about a month ago. Last winter he did the same as his expenses were so enormous. But then he insisted on keeping his chambermaid or "secretary" and since that would bring his expenses up close to $1200 a year he gave the matter up rather than part with the dear creature (Agnes). Sarah heard no more until he made the last proposition letting both Dolly and Agnes go, Sarah to pay the servants rather than he. He keeps one especially for his own amusement. She found the butcher's bill for one month $41, others a little less. Sarah was not surprised because she had heard that in beer saloons and kindred places it was said "If you want a good square meal old Brownson's is the place to go for it". According to report whiskey flowed like water here. But every night at nine, Dolly, Agnes and (Brownson) said the rosary together and after that pious Agnes retired. The policeman on the beat told somebody that the Doctor kept good whiskey, and one night between twelve and one clock a young man said Agnes gave the policeman a glass of it. But Sarah said nothing; no one was allowed to doubt Agnes was an angel, or at least a saint. (Brownson) owns he missed his whiskey but blamed it on Dolly. He admits he rarely saw a piece of roast meat after the first time but that was Dolly's carelessness. There were some circumstances he knew were true, but he says if all Elizabeth swore to them he would not believe them. He went to see Agnes and was triumphant as she explained everything in advance. Sarah was foolish enough to tell (Brownson) what she believed (Agnes) to be, but kept her reasons to herself since people who could tell are not going to do so when it implicates themselves. Sarah is not going to say any more about it, because he is so simple he goes straight to (Agnes) and as woman as bad as she is, always has her explanation. It makes Sarah ashamed to have him running after (Agnes) as she knows well how to make others interpret his visits. (Agnes) is a good looking Irish girl of some education and extraordinarily pious. (Brownson) says (Agnes) would not have him if he were to ask her because she disapproves of disparity in years. Sarah does not know of any use in telling Henry all this for he cannot help it and it can only annoy him but she supposes Henry would like to know how things are going. In other respects (Brownson) is wonderfully toned down, keeps his temper and does not require nearly so much waiting on as he did. But there is no use trying to open his eyes when a woman is concerned. Sarah has two darkies, so he cannot flirt with them and she observes he seems cured of his old failing. She has been quite sick with intermittent fever since May but is much better now. Love to Fifine and the children. Sarah is only just getting able to go around the house. P.S. (Brownson) says (Agnes) spent almost all her time for six months in his room and was propriety itself. It did not occur to him that at seventy, half blind and very deaf, covered with tobacco, he might not be just the one to draw out a young woman's coquetry, especially when his whiskey and his kitchen were providing her with beaux her own age, as thick as flies about molasses. (Day later). Sarah has just been told by (Brownson) that she has got to prove everything she said the other day. Sarah told him she would do nothing of the kind, that what she said was in answer to his inquirires. He wrote it all down and sent it to (Agnes) and she insists it shall be proved. This is to bully them. Sarah said that if (Agnes) chose to bring the matter up and have it taken into court, Sarah was willing as then the people would be obliged to tell the truth and (Agnes') character would never be patched up together this side the grave. Of course (Agnes) has no idea of such a thing, or (Brownson) other. This shows what fools the Tenneys were to come here even on a written agreement. She supposes they will have to move away. These constant changes cost the judge so much. (Brownson) says the six months he had Agnes were the happiest of his life and Sarah said that was a beautiful tribute to his wife. (Brownson) said she was a good wife until she came under the influence of her daughter. Sarah tells Henry all this so he may be prepared for any catastrophe. She has tried to do her best, but has been a fool to say anything of his darling (Agnes). If (Agnes) were to marry him, which she might now to save herself he could not bring her here, for he made the agreement in writing that the Tenneys were to take the house and furniture and board him. Henry is to say not one word to him. (Brownson) is perfectly infatuated and the best way is to let him alone or he will go still father.
III-3-a - A.L.S. - 10pp. - 12mo. - {2}
1874 Jul. 12
(O'Shea, Father William?):
St. Patrick's Church
St. Louis, M(iss)o(uri)
to
Orestes A. Brownson:
(Elizabeth, New Jersey)
With the greatest pleasure he read again and again Brownson's article "Nulla est Salus extra Ecclesiam" because he studied at Carlow, Ireland where he always heard that no one except Catholics would be saved. Also he spent sometime in the country mission 146 miles north of (St. Louis) and often preached the doctrine. The teaching offended some, even Catholics. He is glad Brownson is going to continue the article (on Salvation) in the October number. As far as he is able he gives (in Latin) the substance of what he was taught in college. (There are marginal notes by Brownson and a portion of the letter was printed in Brownson's Review for Oct. 1874 on p. 458.)
I-4-f - A.L.(Incomplete) - 2pp. - folio - {3}
1874 July 12
Toof, Jo(h)ns.:
Memphis, Tennessee
to
(James Alphonsus) McMaster:
New York, New York
He encloses an excerpt from the proceedings of the Memphis School Board of July 10, 1874. He thinks that this is a strange document to come from a Catholic priest in that the priest favors free schools. At first he thought the article was a forgery but Father Dennis A. Quinn followed it with a card in its favor. In his mind, the giving of the Protestant School Board the control of the books, customs etc. of a catholic school will not make that school any better than the present public pauper schools.
I-2-a - A.L.S. - 2pp. - 28vo. - {2}
1874 July 17
Sherman, Ellen E.:
Washington, D. C.
to
(Archbishop John Baptist Purcell):
(of Cincinnati, Ohio)
She had decided on a low Mass since there will be so many impatient and unappreciative persons. She has decided to have the wedding in St. Aloysius' Church instead of in St. Dominic's, where she has a pew. The Jesuits are anxious that it should be in St. Aloysius and are happy to hear that Purcell is to perform the ceremony. Father Moody, pastor of the church in New York which Mr. (Thomas W.) Fitch's parents attend, is anxious to assist at the ceremony, but since it is a low Mass, perhaps there will be no place for him. Father (Bernard A.) Maguire, (S.J.), pastor of the church here, is very refined and elegant and is generally liked by Catholics and Protestants. He does not like her, but is the more polite in consequence. He will do what he can to make Purcell's visit enjoyable. She shall be glad to receive any clergyman Purcell may bring with him. They will have the best music in the city, and she asks for Purcell's choice of selections. She has changed the invitations again. Unless Purcell does not like it, she prefers to keep the words "His Grace". She asks him to change any mistakes and reply as soon as possible; as soon as she hears from Purcell she will take it to the engraver.
II-5-f - A.L.S. - 4pp. - 12mo. - {4}
1874 July 19
Wicart, L.J.:
Pontiac, Michigan
to
(Orestes A. Brownson):
(Elizabeth, New Jersey)
Wicart sends him an article that appeared in a local paper. If Brownson could put an article in the review refuting such falsehoods he thinks it would be opportune. It was probably written by someone interested or teaching in Public Schools. Wicart is one of his readers.
I-4-f - A.L.S. - 2pp. - 16mo. - {1}
1874 July 29
Goodhue, John B.:
St. Louis, Missouri
to
James F. Edwards:
(Notre Dame, Indiana)
His mother will answer Edwards' letter as soon as she is able. He asks Edwards to tell Father (Augustus) Lemonnier, (C.S.C., President of Notre Dame) that he is under many obligations to him for permitting him to return to Notre Dame under the conditions named. He is anxious to return now that Bro. Florentius, (C.S.C.) has left.
XI-1-a - A.L.S. - 3pp. - 8vo. - {3}
1874 July 31
Franchi, Alex(ander), Cardinal Prefect:
Rome, (Italy)
to
Archbishop John Baptist Purcell:
of Cincinnati, (Ohio)
From Purcell's letter of Nov. 27, 1873, the Sacred Congregation understands that he has visited the house of the Sister of Holy Cross, in the diocese of Fort Wayne and found everything in good order as to administration and discipline, and is now ready to give up his power conceded in 1869 for the sake of the visitation, so that in the future the local ordinary will have the Jurisdiction over the community. However, both Father (Edward) Sorin, (C.S.C.) and the superior of the Sister have objected to the cessation of the visit. Sorin had asked that it be continued and the Mother Superior also has asked the same, so that their constitutions can be submitted to the Holy See for approbation. They have asked that the visitation be extended for 3 years. However, the Sacred Congregation writes to Purcell to find out whether he thinks this should be granted. He is asked to write his opinion, if he agrees with their petition. John Semeoni signs as Secretary. no. 3.
II-5-f - L.S. - (Latin) 2pp. - 8vo. - {2}