Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the health of their sister, Anna, and the 50th anniversary of their parents' wedding, and details his financial situation for the coming year. 2p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about recent inquiries concerning the burning of Columbia and their convent during the war and asks the Bishop for permission to publish their account of the events. 4p.
Copy of a letter sent by Madame Baptiste to Senator Manning petitioning the U.S. congress for $150,000 to rebuild their destroyed convent and academy. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the affairs of the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She writes of the plan to petition congress for reparations for the destruction of their convent in the war and voices her displeasure of "Mr. Jones", who has been soliciting money up north on their behalf, claiming that he "goes travelling over the country on what he collects for us." 10p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. She writes that the Bishop's former slave, Daniel, is in a "half-starved condition" and has been visiting the convent for handouts. She mentions that she has read about former Union prisoners who praised Bishop Lynch for his kindness during the war and writes of her fears of a cholera epidemic that "will no doubt decimate the whole country this summer." 8p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch describing springtime at Valle Crucis. She writes that the sisters have created a "month of May altar" and have decorated it with a small statue saved from the convent on the night of the Columbia fire. 4p.
Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing his plans for the season's crops. Francis informs the Bishop he is planting 650 acres in cotton and corn and writes of his plan to mix crushed bones with sulfuric acid to create his own fertilizer. 2p.
Short letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the ongoing effort to solicit funds for a new convent including writing a letter to General Sherman to "recommend our cause at Washington." 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch discussing a new candidate for the Ursuline sisterhood. According to Madame Baptiste, the 58 year old woman has changed her opinion "respecting widows and old ladies becoming nuns." 4p.
Long letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch keeping him apprised of the news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste asks the Bishop to help them procure more lay sisters "small in person - healthy and between 18 and 21" and choir sisters aged "18 to 30". She also discusses plans with the Bishop to open a day school in Columbia but doesn't know if they will be able to secure a building before the start of the school year. 12p.
