ciach16cca

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the consideration in the said recited indenture mentioned, and also for and in consideration of the further sum of nine hundred pounds current money of Maryland, to him in hand paid by the said Charles Neale . . ., hath given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released, enfeoffed and confirmed, and by these presents doth give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, release, enfeoff and confirm unto the said Charles Neale, his heirs and assigns forever, all the tract or parcel of land called Durham, situate, lying and being in Charles County . . . also all that part of a tract of land called Beech Neck, situate, lying and being in Charles County aforesaid, etc.”

About the year 1808, a dispute arose concerning the Durham estate. The following case is recorded in the law-records of Port Tobacco: Titus Goodtitle, lessee of John Ferguson vs. Rev. Chas. Neale. It was called for trial on the 5th of August, 1808. Timothy Badtitle, planter, late of Charles County, was accused of having, with force and arms, entered into that tract or parcel of plantable land called Durham, which John Ferguson leased for a term of six years to the plaintiff, Titus Goodtitle. Timothy Badtitle gave notice to Rev. Chas. Neale, tenant, in possession of premises, to appear and be made defendant on the third Monday in August, 1808, in place of said Timothy Badtitle, casual ejector.

The attorneys of Titus Goodtitle were Henry H. Chapman and Alexander Contee Magruder, and the attorney of Rev. Chas. Neale was Mr. Clement Dorsey. On June 22d, 1809, an order of re-survey of all of Durham was issued. The case dragged until the 18th of March, 1811, when judgment by default was passed against Timothy Badtitle. Before the jurors withdrew from the bar of the court, Rev. C. Neale, by his attorney, filed in court certain “Bills of Exceptions.”

From the documents of the process we glean the following history of the Durham estate. It was owned, as early as 1663, by Walter Bayne, of Charles County, and contained 750 acres. He obtained in 1666 a grant for it from Cecilius, the Lord Proprietor. It passed to his infant daughter Eleanor.

152 Carmel in America.

During her minority it was surmised that said land lay in Panguiah Manor, that was reserved for his lordship's own use. Eleanor married John Beale, and had by him a son, Richard. After several suits in the courts concerning the property, its possession was finally assured to John Beale in 1719. Durham then contained 750 acres. About the year 1728 John Beale sold the half of Durham to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, and in 1736 deeded 275 acres of it to his youngest son, John Beale. John Beale, Jr., left three daughters: Mary Turner, Eleanor Halkerson and Elizabeth Barnes.

The portion of the estate that had come into the hands of Daniel Jenifer, was sold by him in 1764 to Ignatius Baker Brooke, together with a tract of land called Beech Neck. Mr. Baker Brooke, having died intestate, his son and heir, Ignatius Baker Brooke, Jr., succeeded to the property, that was by him transferred to Rev. Chas. Neale.

The other portion of Durham had passed from John Beale, Jr., to his three daughters. In 1795 Eleanor Halkerson deeded 150 acres of Durham to Mary Turner. The third sister, Elizabeth Barnes, died in 1786. Her eldest son, John Barnes, deeded his interest in Durham to Mary Hawkins and Kitty Clagett, his sisters. In 1797 Mary Turner deeded the land, 150 acres, she had received from Eleanor Halkerson to Elizabeth Turner and John Beale Turner. Elizabeth Turner married John Ferguson, who, as we have seen, had leased a tract of Durham to Titus Goodtitle. The dispute in question arose concerning the boundaries of the respective portions of the estate the plaintiff claiming a portion of the property in possession of Rev. Charles Neale.

This affair, it appears, was settled by arbitration, but nevertheless it cost the nuns a large sum of money.

Mr. Baker Brooke, with whom Father Charles Neale had exchanged property, had been a student in the Society of Jesus, in Belgium, whence he returned to America in 1773. He afterwards married, the Society having been suppressed. On March 28th, 1801, (probably after the death of his wife),

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he entered the priesthood, and officiated in Charles and St. Mary's Counties until his death, about the year 1817.

After his death his heirs sued the nuns on account of their property.

The counsel of the Sisters in this disagreeable affair was still Mr. Clement Dorsey; the opposing counsel were Col. Ashton, of Washington, D. C.; Mr. Causin, of St. Mary's County, and Mr. Raphael Neale, then member of Congress.

Before Father Neale's death he had, at the suggestion of his counsel, requested the loan of one of the Archiepiscopal registers, in order to prove the precise time of Rev. Mr. Brooke's ordination. Contrary to his own expectations and those of his friends, the book was retained by the court. This, in the opinion of all present, was an arbitrary and unwarranted act, and subjected the Archbishop to a great inconvenience. In answer to a letter of Rev. Mr. Whitfield on the subject, Mother Clare Joseph deplores the occurrence, and expresses regret at having ever asked for the register, but, at the same time, states that it is not in her power to remedy the evil, as everything had been done to prevent it. This letter is dated December 8th, 1823. Mr. Dorsey protested against the retention of the register, but was given to understand by the opposing counsel, the judges assenting, that, as he had offered the book in evidence, they were right in keeping it, as it was their intention to appeal to the court at Annapolis, to retain the register till the final decision of the case. It was accordingly delivered over into the custody of the clerk of the court. Fathers Francis Neale and Fenwick called on the clerk and made a new demand for it, stating the very great inconvenience which its detention caused to the Archbishop, but this was of no avail. He merely informed them that it was confided to his care by the opposing counsel, and he could not surrender it without the approbation of one or other of them. Fathers Neale and Fenwick appeared in court as evidence for the Sisters.

154 Carmel in America.

On the 15th of the following March, 1824, Archbishop Maréchal wrote as follows to the Prioress of Mount Carmel:

Rev^d & D^r Mother,

It would be a great consolation to me to pay you a visit next month and to be present at the election which is to take place. But this is entirely out of my power, on account of the Sacred ceremonies which I have to perform during the Holy Week. Fortunately my presence is not absolutely necessary, and may be supplied by any other clergyman duly authorized by me. The Rev. B. Fenwick or the Rev^d Fr. Neale seem to me the fittest to perform the office in my place. Either of them whom you may choose has my full approbation and power to preside at the election. . . . You have so long governed the community, and with so much prudence, wisdom and charity, that I hope your good sisters will not comply with the wish you have frequently testified of being discharged from your superiority. . . . I know it is a painful and troublesome office. But you have daily present to your mind the motto of the great St. Teresa: Ant mori ant pati,¹ and that's enough to make you submit cheerfully to the burden.

I recommend myself to your holy prayers and those of all your good sisters, assuring you that I am with great respect and sincere affection,

Rev^d & D^r Mother,

Your humb. Serv^t .,

+ AMB., A. B.

Mother Clare Joseph, who had been Prioress since the death of Mother Bernardina, was again reelected. Archbishop Maréchal wrote to inform her that Mr. Roger B. Taney had consented to defend their cause:

BALT^o ., 28 July, 1824.

Rev^d Mother,

I am much afraid that my silence may have inclined you to believe that I have neglected to speak to Mr. Taney, as I promised you, the last time I had the consolation of writing you and your community. After an absence of six weeks, that gentleman has returned here last Tuesday. Yesterday I paid him a visit and

___________

¹To suffer or to die.

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engaged him to take the defence of your case in the Court of Appeals, in conjunction with Mr. Dorsey. Although he refused to plead in behalf of your adversaries, he very politely acceded to my demand. I see with pleasure that he will do it rather through charity and respect for your community than through any interested motive. He tells me that he will ask the clerk of the Court of Annapolis for a copy of the appeal made at Portobacco. This is all that is necessary to him to defend your cause.

I present my best comp^ts to the Rev^d B. Fenwick and to all your good sisters, assuring you that I am with respect,

Rev^d Mother,

Your humb. Serv^t .,

+ AMB., A. B.

Pray for me!

In the year 1825 the Sisters were again deprived of their director, Rev. B. Fenwick, his superiors having appointed him President of Georgetown College. On this occasion the following letter was received from the Archbishop:

BALT^o ., 7 Feb., 1825.

Rev^d & Dr. Mother,

The first letter I have received from Father Dzierozinsky¹ concerning the Rev. B. Fenwick announced to me that he was actually in the college of Georgetown. This news affected me so much, that I truly had not the courage of writing to you upon a subject which I know is so painful to your feelings. From the motives which were stated to me for this removal, I foresee it would be useless to urge Fr. Dzierozinsky to revoke the measure he has taken. His letter to me however is not without some consolation. For he tells me that he will direct the Rev^d En. Fenwick to supply the post left vacant by the departure of his brother; and as this Rev^d gentleman is agreeable to you and your community I have no difficulty in approving his appointment as your director and chaplain. I regret very much that the circumstances in which your community is placed, demand that your director, besides piety and an interior spirit should be a farmer. 1^o Because it will be extremely difficult to find a clergyman who unites the knowledge of the Saints and agricultural skill. 2^o Because almost all the Priests who have undertaken to manage farms never succeeded.

__________

¹ Superior of the Jesuits.

156 Carmel in America.

But we must submit to the peculiar situation and circumstances of your convent. May Almighty God in his infinite goodness protect you and all your fervent sisters, console you and support you with the abundance of his grace.

Veni....Consolator optime

Dulcis hospes animae

Dulce refrigerium

In labore requies

In aestu temperies

In fletu solatium.¹

You understand Latin.

I remain with great respect, Rev^d & Dr. Mother,

Your humb. Servt.,

+ AMB., A. B.

In the fall of the same year Father Ben. Fenwick was consecrated Bishop of Boston, but continued to take a lively interest in the Carmelite Sisters. His successor, as spiritual director of the nuns, was his brother, Rev. Enoch Fenwick, S. J.

Shortly after the appointment of Rev. Ben Fenwick to the See of Boston, a letter was received from Father de Clorivière, director of the Visitation nuns. Joseph Pierre Picot de Limoelan de Clorivière, a school-fellow of Chateaubriand, after having served in the army in France, in the cause of La Vendee, emigrated to America, and became a priest in 1812 and in course of time assumed the direction of the nuns of the Visitation. He died in 1826.

VISITATION EN G. T., Sept.6^th 1825.

Rev^d Mother,

The present will be presented to your Reverence by Rev^d Roger Smith, Pastor of Baltimore. I waited for my boon—i.e.—the list of your Community which I had begged from Sister Isabella,

__________

¹From the Veni Sancte Spiritus , to the Holy Ghost:

Thou of all consolers best,

Visiting the troubled breast,

Dost refreshing peace bestow.

Thou in toil art comfort sweet,

Pleasant coolness in the heat,

Solace in the midst of woe.

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before sending to you my thanks for it, & for the kind reception you made me— I cannot express the sentiments of edification, & I dare say of affection which I have felt, & will always feel for the Community of Mt. Carmel. I hope they will not be vain, but that turning my gratitude to God, & my admiration for his ways so different from & so much elevated above the ways of men, I will more & more despise the world which produces nothing comparable to what I have seen at Mt. Carmel, & I will fix immutably my confidence in this God of Mercy & of Wonders who never disappoints those who trust their all to him. That list of your names for which I thank with all my heart my former daughter Olivia now your own, my Dear Sister Isabella, has been copied by our Sisters, and will be placed in some appropriate place to keep them in mind of every one of your Community. They wish you would do the same with the instrument of writing which will accompany this letter, & which contains that Covenant from our Sisters—which I solicited from your Reverence—& was agreed upon I believe between us. It might be placed upon a board, & remain forever a monument of the union of both Communities—an union so natural between two families situated as we are in these wildernesses—upon which Almighty God, I hope, will look favorably.

    Rev^d M. Smith will confirm to you—my Rev^d Mother —the perhaps unwished for news of the election of Father Ben to the Bishopric of Boston . The will of God be done! & his Glory procured even though it may deprive you of some consolation! This at least you may have: That of all the Bishopricks in the United States, if it is not that where more good can be done, it is likely that where less trouble will be had.—Then as of two evils we must be contented with the less, you will have cause to congratulate with the Right Rev^d Bishop elect of Boston.

    Please to accept Rev^d Mother, my most grateful sentiments for you, the Rev^d Mother Sub-prioress, & your whole Community, & though I may never see you but in Heaven, this hope will cheer me up in my way there— to which I beseech you to help me by your prayers.

    In union with the Sacred Hearts of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, I remain,

Most Honoured Mother,

Respectfully,

Your humble & obedient Servant in our Lord,

J. P. De CLORIVIÈRE,

D^r of the Visitation in Georgetown.

158 Carmel in America.

On the 24th of December, of the same year, Sister Barbara of St. Joseph, Neale, a Sister of great humility, obedience and love for religious silence, was called away from this world. She was fifty years of age, and had been seven years in religion.

About two years after her profession, Sister Barbara, whom we beheld leaving her children, to consecrate herself to God in the religious state, had been joined in the convent by her daughter Olivia, who had been educated at the Visitation Convent in Georgetown, D.C. Olivia Neale was in her sixteenth year, and took in religion the name of Isabella of the Angels. The mother and child, having become members of the same community and Sisters in religion, the ties of affection that united them closely became still more supernaturalized. The love they bore to each other did not by any means prejudice general charity, and exteriorly they showed no greater affection toward each other than toward the other members of the community.

This constant guard of the heart must have required heroic efforts on both sides, and have merited for them many precious graces. The only thing that was ever observed that might indicate the particular notice the mother took of her child, was that when Sister Isabella would occasionally leave her work-basket or some other little object out of place, her mother would put it away, saying: “That child is so careless.”

Sister Barbara soon received her crown; her religious career was short. During the last hours of her life, the community knelt around her bed, assisting her by their prayers, when the bell rang for some community exercise. The Sisters obeyed the summons, leaving with the sick one only the Prioress, the infirmarian and Sister Isabella, who had permission to remain. All thought that Sister Barbara had lost the power of speech, but seeing her daughter near her, with a heroic spirit of detachment, she said: “The bell has rung, my child, you had better go.” Sister Isabella understood her mother, and in the same spirit of sacrifice left her bedside.

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Before she could return, her mother's soul had passed away. No one who will read this can fail to be impressed. If there is a moment in our earthly existence when our soul clings with unrestrained ardor to one we love, it certainly is that supreme moment when death is fast snatching our loved one from us. And if we read in the lives of the saints of their having sacrificed those last moments when their heart clamored loudly for union with one they would never see again, we are struck with admiration at that sublime self-denial, in which heroism seems to have exhausted itself. Such was the act of sacrifice that we admire in Sister Barbara and her youthful daughter, who was now beginning to ascend the mystic Calvary, on which she was to consummate her course.

About this time a letter was received at Mount Carmel from Rev. Samuel Eccleston, the future Archbishop of Baltimore, who, after his ordination on April 24th, 1825, had repaired to France to continue his studies at the Sulpitian Seminary of Issy, near Paris. We reproduce the letter in full.

THE SOLITUDE AT ISSY NEAR PARIS, Nov.29,1825.

Venerated Madam,

One of the first objects of my care on my arrival in Paris, was to deliver the letter with the charge of which you had honored me. I need not tell you how much interest the Rev. Mother evinced for your amiable and holy Community. Her numerous inquiries about her American Sisters, gave me an occasion to express the sentiments of gratitude and admiration which will always be associated with the recollection of my visit to Mount Carmel.

As I made a very short stay in Paris, I could not avail myself of the attention which the Rev. Mother was disposed to show me. But before my return to America, I hope I shall be honored with a more particular acquaintance with the different establishments of your order. You will learn from the letter enclosed, that I have in my possession a small package addressed to you. As there would be considerable risk in sending it by a public conveyance, I shall probably act conformably to your wishes by waiting until I can find an opportunity to have it forwarded in safety. It will give me great pleasure to perform any commands

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you may have for Paris. Permit me to present my best respects to your Spiritual Father; and to recommend myself to the prayers of your edifying Community.

I have the honor to be with profound veneration,

Your obed't & humble serv't,

S. ECCLESTON

The Rev'd Prioress

of the American Carmelites.

A short time after, Bishop Fenwick wrote to Mother Superior :

BOSTON, Jan. 17^th, 1826.

The afflicting account My D^r Rev. Mother which has just reached me of your late alarming attack, and the dangerous state to which it has reduced you, has filled me with grief & anxiety. Aware of the enfeebled habit of your body, & how little able you are to undergo a violent attack of sickness, I almost feel inclined to conjecture the worst. But still I will trust in that great & good Being who knows how necessary you are on Mount Carmel for the direction, instruction, & edification of those he has entrusted to your care; & shall fondly hope that he will raise you up, this time also from your bed of sickness, & allow you yet some years to be among them. Parce Domine Parce,¹ shall be my daily prayer till I hear of your complete restoration. The black seal which Stanney² had put to the letter communicating your illness occasioned in me an uneasiness of mind which I cannot describe. I kept the letter some time by me & could not open it. But how great was my joy when after looking into it, I found that you were still among your children, comforting & consoling them, still in a weak state, it is true, but in a convalescent one, & one that gives hope of a perfect recovery. Ah! My D^r good Mother, take care of yourself. Do not expose anew your precious health — avoid going too soon thro' those ugly passages, & beware of them generally through the winter. You are not able now to do what you formerly could. The changes you will experience in going from room to room, are like so many different climates to you — such sudden & frequent transitions you cannot stand. I have often wondered how you have been able to stand them so long. I trust the Doctor will impress this still more strongly upon you than I have done, and operate a thorough conviction in you of the necessity of this precaution. — So Barbara is gone, poor dear good Barbara is no more. The black seal was for her. She was indeed ready to go, for her work was finished. So are you, my D^r Rev. Mother, also ready, and have long been ready, but

__________

¹Spare, 0 Lord! Spare.

²Sister Stanislaus.

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God must spare you yet, for a time, for others. Your measure of good works is full, but you can press them down, & put in more. I have mentioned the death of Barbara to the good Religious here, & your illness. They will all pray for you both, & their prayers will be good prayers. They will certainly reach Heaven, & will carry with them no small weight. I have every confidence in them. Your own good Nuns too, I am sure, are teasing & importuning heaven for your speedy recovery, both day & night. How can heaven resist all this? God Almighty has certainly something great in view in behalf of poor Carmel when He so repeatedly tries it in the crucible of affliction. For this year past & more, scarcely a week has passed that some one or other, has not been taken down, & some very seriously too. Usque quo Domine,?¹ A good day will come at last. The many supplications that are offered up will soon I hope, rouse Him from His sleep.— He will command the winds, & the sea, & a great calm will ensue. Long may it last — long may Carmel flourish, & all its inhabitants partake of the sweets of peace, happiness, & union; a union both without, & within — happy concord which makes a paradise of earth, & every trial & mortification a bed of sweet roses— Adieu, my dear good Rev^d Mother— accept of my best wishes for your speedy recovery, & long life —& now & then offer up some short little prayer for one who thinks often of you however immersed he may be in the various duties of his office, & who will always with singular pleasure subscribe himself,

Your very sincere friend, & well wisher

+B. Bp. of Bⁿ .

A few months later he wrote them the following amiable and consoling letter that portrays so well the kind, simple and childlike disposition of his beautiful soul:

BOSTON, May 8^th , 1826.

Write to me soon again, & let me know how the matter has ended. Don't be making your apologies, I beg of you, for troubling me as you call it, by writing me oftener than once a month. Write to me every day, & make no apology. Another thing I must mention, now I think of it — Frank no more letters to me. If I see, after this the word Paid written on the back of any letter coming from Carmel, I won't take it out of the Post Office; that's a fact — I insist upon my paying all mine to you, & all yours to me, & I give you leave to write me every day to boot — You are

__________

¹How long, O Lord?

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in low spirits my D^r good Mother — long sickness, & the sickness of your nuns has caused you to droop.— You must cheer up— your crops will be better. — The seasons will not always be bad. Isabel & Mrs. Isaac, you tell me, in one of your letters, were the only two I did not mention in my letter. Did they think I had forgotten them? They can't think so. Let me see, which of you must I think of this month? I won't tell. But I will tell you this much, I know who was clothed on the 1^st of May, & who was clothed on the 26th of the same. I'll think of these. I'll think also of your good sick nuns. I'll think too of Delphina's mother.— I'll think of you all & pray that you may all be happy. Kindest remembrance in particular to Martha & Magdalen whom you speak of as being very sick, without forgetting Mary, the next on the list. Stanney ought to have been entirely cured after a visit from her father, & Brose surely will revive now the weather sets in so beautifully.

“See yon delightful blooming mount,

     Which bounds th' adjacent fields,

Around whose base sweet flows a fount
     Which purest water yields,"

etc.— Ignatia must take good care of my little tree. Best respects to Mother Sub-prioress. . . . What is become of my little Nun Elizabeth Spalding? I hope she has not forgotten Boston. Adieu my D^r Rev^d Mother. Take good care of your health.—Remember me to my B^r & Fr. Francis.—Pray for +B. Bp. of Bⁿ .

    I'll write you again soon. I have been so much engaged that I have hardly had time to breathe. But after Pentecost I shall have more leisure. Who knows but one of these days some one in the Watch-Tower may ask. Who is that coming down the road, near the out-gate? The month of May is come. How are Mr. & Mrs. Spalding? Have they recovered? I am surprised at Mr. D.—I did not know your Chas. Co. people were so mercenary.—Adieu.—How could you kill poor Spot?¹ The people here are indignant at it; they all knew him.

Sister Martha of the Holy Cross, Hagen, was the next one to be called from this world. She was a lay sister, remarkable for her great charity to the religious, most self-sacrificing, and, in her resignation and conformity to the Will of God, truly edifying. She was fifty-three years of age at the time of her death, and had been twenty-six years in religion. She died

__________

¹The dog.

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May 12th, 1826, of consumption, after eleven weeks most patient suffering. A few days later, May 24th, Archbishop Maréchal wrote the following letter to the Mother Prioress:

Rev^d & Dr. Mother,

    Your Rev^d & Dr. Spiritual Father, in a letter which he had the goodness to write to me gave me the sad information of the dangerous state of Dear Sister Martha. I am sorry to hear that she died and that your community has lost so useful a member. But the departure of a Carmelite from this world, although painful to natural feelings, is only a subject of spiritual joy; as it is an angel added to the immense multitude of those who are happy and exulting in the presence of Almighty God. I will remember her in the Holy Sacrifice of Mass, at the memento for the dead.

    You too, My Rev^d & D^r Mother, will be the object of my prayers, both during your life and after it shall have pleased our Lord to call you out of this world. From whence originated the report mentioned in your letter? I truly do not know, except some body or other has taken seriously an expression of mere pleasantry. The fact is that no body comes here from your neighborhood to whom I do not put some questions about my dear daughters of Mount Carmel and particularly about your self. Very likely some of them, telling me that you were as well as ever, I told them by way of joke, that I would not recommend you any more publicly to the prayers of the Congregation, as you rise, as it were, at your will & pleasure, from the grave to life again.

    I have seen Mr. R. Taney a few days ago; your suit will come on next month or the following one, at Annapolis. He promised me to exert his great talents in your behalf. He has not the smallest fear of not succeeding in so just a cause.

    Thousand Blessings to your good and pious community! I recommend myself to your fervent prayers, and remain with great respect,

Rev^d & D^r Mother,

Your humb. serv^t .,

+AMB., A. B.

P. S—The spiritual retreat given out in the Cathedral terminated last Sunday. It has produced most consoling and abundant fruits. Vast as is that noble & sacred temple, it could hardly contain the multitude of the faithful who flocked to it morning and night. How much I wished that my daughters of the Visitation & Mount Carmel could have been placed in a corner of some gallery to enjoy the sight of such an edifying

164 Carmel in America.

spectacle! they could not but have admired the piety, the recollection & spirit of compunction which prevailed among the vast number of christians. I am sure at the evening service, when, after the moving instruction that was given, my full choir with their most melodious voices, entoned the sweet and sublime Psalm of Penitent David: Have Mercy on me, O God! they would have mixed their tears to the torrent of those that flowed down from the eyes of the whole audience.

God grant! the Jubilee¹ may produce the same extensive and consoling effects in the souls of my Flock spread over my whole Diocese!

My respectful & affectionate comp^ts to your good Spiritual Father.

Mr. Taney,² as we have seen, had consented to take upon himself the defence of the Carmelite Sisters; this he did through charity, desiring, as be said, no return but their prayers. On November 22, 1826, he wrote as follows to their director:

Revd Sir,

I have been perfectly sensible that the continuance of the case of the Monastery, must produce much inconvenience and I have reluctantly submitted to it. — The case could not, I think, have been brought on at this Term by any exertions of mine.— But in truth I have been unwilling that it should come on in the absence of Mr. Dorsey — upon examining the record I fear an oversight has been committed and I have written to Mr. Dorsey to enquire whether it is the mistake in the Clerk in making out the copy of the proceedings. — If it is the mistake of the Clerk the error may be corrected. — But if it is not his mistake and our adversaries discover the error, we may lose the case here and be compelled

__________

¹This was the jubilee published by Leo XII in 1825.

² Roger Brooke Taney was born in Calvert County, Maryland, on March 17th, 1777. He was descended from one of the first Maryland settlers and was a good Catholic. At the time of which we speak, he practiced law in Baltimore. He became Attorney-General of Maryland in 1827 and four years later he was raised to the dignity of Attorney-General of the United States. In 1833 he became Secretary of the Treasury and, in 1837, Chief Justice of the United States, a post that he filled for more than twenty-five years. After a long life of merit and distinction, he died in an honorable old age, October l2,1864. A beautiful statue in his honor has been raised opposite the State House at Annapolis.

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to go through another trial in the County Court.—I must beg you however to say nothing about this to any one,—for in the first place I do not wish to call the attention of the adverse counsel to this accidental error — and secondly, I should be unwilling to have anything said as coming from me that might give pain to the counsel who tried the case in the County Court.—I mention it to you merely to show the propriety of waiting for Mr. Dorsey—& the hazard of pressing the trial in his absence.—

I am Dear Sir with true respect and regard

Your friend & ob^t S^t

R. B. TANEY

In the year 1826 a letter arrived from Mother Raphael, of the Carmelite monastery of St. Denis, situated in the Rue Casini, at Paris. This good mother, who was then eighty- one years old, had been a religious in the Convent of St. Denis before the revolution, with Mother Teresa of St. Augustine, known as Madame Louise de France. After the suppression in France, she had a desire to join her Carmelite Sisters in America, and addressed herself for that purpose to Mr. de Villegas, who, for some reason or other, required a dowry, that she had no means of obtaining. She then went with eight of her Sisters to Piedmont, where she was kindly received by the queen of Sardinia. Only three of these Sisters had any dowry. They remained in Italy until the suppression of their convent there, and then returned to France. As soon as possible they formed a small community in Paris, and lived there unknown for some time. We learn from Mother Raphael's letter that the Sisters in France were suffering great distress on account of their poverty, some being even in want of bread. The good religious of the Rue Casini sent to the nuns in Maryland a collection of articles of devotion. The letter is dated May 6th, 1826. Another letter had been received some time before from the Carmelites of the Rue d'Enfer, to which Mother Clare Joseph replied in a letter, from which we learn that the poor Carmelites in Spain were no less afflicted, and in which she complains of the sad impiety of the times.