V

Archdiocese of Detroit

1.    Scalabrini to Foley²⁸

         August 1901

         (Draft)

Most Reverend Excellency:

You will forgive me if necessity compels me to write to you again. In agreement with Archbishop Corrigan we are establishing here a Society for the Protection of Italian Immigrants. This is urgent because Protestants too, who are concerned with the same matter, have already inaugurated their society and if we do not provide one on our part, damages will be incalculable. Now the committee, presided over by Archbishop Corrigan, has singled out Father Beccherini to appoint him director of the St. Raphael Society, because he knows English which is necessary at the Barge Office and because he is active and would know how to succeed. Therefore, I am informing Your Excellency of this to assure you that, if you have no difficulty, I will provide by assigning a missionary for Detroit who would replace him in caring for the Italian colony which is settled there.

            My most heart felt thanks and most cordial regards, Bishop,

I am, Yours Truly,

John Baptist, Bishop of Piacenza