"Tired of Blacks and Business": Fr. Kenney to Fr. McElroy on the administration of the Missions, Aug. 19, 1832

"Tired of Blacks and Business": Fr. Kenney to Fr. McElroy on the administration of the Missions, Aug. 19, 1832

Slaves--United States--Economic conditions; Catholic Church--Clergy--Correspondence

In this letter from August, 1832, Fr. Kenney notifies Fr. McElroy of the visit of Mr. Horzey, a Louisiana planter and potential buyer of people enslaved by the Jesuits.. He also remarks that Fr. Neale, in charge of St. Thomas Manor, is "tired of blacks and business" and wishes to retire.

Maryland Province Archives

Georgetown Slavery Archive

1832-08

Adam Rothman, Elsa Barraza Mendoza, transcription by Meghan DeCourcey, Amy Guay, and Abby O'Shea (AMST272)

Georgetown University Library

PDF

English

Manuscript

GSA108

Revd Dear Father, PG

Mr. Horsey called at late hour last evening. He had a most disagreeable drive to the College, for it was raining furiously. We could not prevail on him to stay or take any refreshment. He was ansious to return in order, that he might start for home at an early hour this morning. Mr. Neale had not mentioned the affair to me, but I shall take time to inquire + report to Mr. John Lee –

Good F. Neale is tired of blacks + business + wishes to retire to St Inigo’ to live in peace there. I have ascented to his doing so, but how we are to supply St Thomas’s is a great puzzle. When he will put his pious purpose in execution I know not. Mr. Cary is desirous of having the same privilege. He is doing well at St Joseph’s + likes it very much. Poor brother Heerd is very weakly; though better than he was last year. He wants a lay brother to assist him very much, as well as a Father – the latter I have not for him, as yet, but I understand, that B. McGin would

[Page 2]

would suit him very well + should anything happen B. Heard on whose long life we cannot count, he would be fit to take his place. Since we let him he is ver he has been very sick + most certainly he should have some one of the Society permanently settled with him – any one of our brothers here would answer you equally well. When could I make the change – would it be more convenient to you before you begin your schools? I hope Joseph Flint is a good carpenter as well as a good Christian. By all means keep him for the ensuing year, but he is to be aware, that I do not make any promise of receiving him until I see him and examine him according to the institute. He does not lose any time by staying the next year with you and I do not send any of the lay brother postulants to the noviship until after a long trial in some one of our houses, where they are employed as secular persons. We are sending Mr. McSherry to Rome with two of the young scholastics, - but this last piece of news is not yet public. Messrs Fenwick + Curly will

[Page 3]

tell you all the other news – of course all necessary leave will be at hand before you will want to begin – But the plan of the church must be drawn with its proper proportions + then the estimates + proposals before any contract is made or time specified. Long before this stage of the business all these papers must come here that I may see them + take the opinion of the CC in them – Best affections to Mr. Barber and I pray you to remember me most particularly to the good French ladies + all your excellent neighbours. This week I have a letter from the Reverend Father Collins now bishop of Cloyne some private business but he does not say as word in the letter which I wrote to him. Mr Gormee in the beginning of 1831. He even says that he did not know of my being on this side of the Atlantic until last April since you lost the great suit, I fear that Mr. J has been obliged to pay that money also –

Yours in Xt Peter Kenney

[Envelope]
The Reverend John McElroy
favd by
Revd G. Fenwick Fredericktown
Md

Manuscript