"I scarcely breathed to [any] mortal until I had 4 land warrants secured although they had raised 50 dollars each within 5 days. The surveyor and Brother are now harnessing their buggy and I take these moments to write. We have a certified land plot which I obtained and I am now looking at the 16 forties within our grasp - alias 640 acres - alias one mile square, your 500 [acres] & 120 bought of yr [illegible] $250 of Br. Macarius' money - total 1260 acres secured. Glory be to God - I am now satisfied there is little land in 12 miles of Dubuque that is not entered."

From John Hughes, Archbishop of New York
Oct 14, 1850
Very Rev. Dear Friend:

You have already seen what occurred in the Church in this country in consequence of the Last Council. New York an Archbishopric; F. X. Gartland, Bishop of Savannah, etc. My heart has never experienced a moment's change toward you, my best friend on this earth. I am going to Europe, "near Rome," about the middle of next month. I want you to come with me when I go; to remain with me while I stay; and to come back with me when I return. If you have no money for your voyage, I have. You shall be my Chaplain. After thirty-seven years of labor like yours, you are entitled to a rest for a few months. I shall return next May. If the Bishop of Dubuque will not give you anything for such a respite, only get his leave and his blessing. Your purse and mine shall be one and common. Come with me then: I count on you. Say nothing however about this, but be here the 12th or 13th of next month. Do not let anything, except obedience to absolute orders, prevent you.

Your affectionate friend in Christ,

John Hughes, Archbishop of New York (Early Days 142-143)

Soon after Archbishop Hughes wrote again:

"Come, I want you. Do not tell me you have no money; I know you have none, but my purse is yours. We have but one heart and one soul. Now do not answer this. The ship will sail on November 15th. Be here to get on board. I must go and I cannot go without you. Be here." (Early Days 143)

From Clement Smythe, Prior, New Mellaray Monastery

November 23, 1855

"...I shall endeavor, God willing, to attend [Reception of habit] on the 8th of December, and see and judge whether it will be a good fit, and whether they are likely to wear it long and well....If the weather be cold on the 7th of December, perhaps you could without inconvenience, send over your little carriage for me on that day...." [Distance from New Mellaray to St. Joseph's Old Home less than 4 miles]

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