John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about family news and mentions the potential sale of the American Hotel in Columbia, believing it may be an appropriate place for relocating the Ursulines. July 25, 1859. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to procure newspapers from Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis and New York so the sisters can read about Distribution Days and exhibits from other Catholic academies. She laments that the South Carolinian newspaper did not publish their recent events and jokingly comments that it's "a very good index that they fear our power." July 27, 1859. 4p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the American Hotel on Richardson and Blanding Streets in Columbia as a potential site for relocating the Ursulines. John describes the hotel in detail and includes a small sketch of the lot it resides on. July 28, 1859. 3p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch discussing the Ursuline sisters' opinions on purchasing the American Hotel for their new convent versus buying another place or building from scratch. July 29, 1859. 4p.
Mortgage taken out by Bishop Patrick Lynch for $5000, payable to Etienne Poincignon, for lots on Society and Queen Streets in August, 1859. Two handwritten statements verifying the full satisfaction of the mortgage are written on the back by the executors of Poincignon and the Register Mesne Conveyance in October 1880. August 3, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the Bishop's purchase of the American Hotel in order to relocate the academy and convent there. A petition had been taken up by persons in Columbia to dissuade the establishment of the convent there claiming it would "injure the mercantile interest of the city." Madame Baptiste believes "prejudice rather than pecuniary interest" are behind the petition and suggests selling it to them for a profit and building a new place elsewhere. August 12, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch about the end of the Ursulines' annual retreat, the renovation of their vows and the ongoing controversy concerning the possible relocation of the convent and academy to the American Hotel. August 15, 1859. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning a mistrial in an unspecified court case. The lawyer advises John that the Bishop's presence would do little to "advance your cause" and advises the Bishop to remain away from Columbia until after the case is tried again. August 28, 1859. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about court costs associated with an unspecified suit and the lack of cleanliness of the recently purchased American Hotel which John had been given possession of by the sheriff. September 1, 1859. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste is worried about the number of teachers she has compared to other academies claiming she is "the best English and Music teacher but am exhausted and unfit for other duties." September 1, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with her recommendations for the wording of the announcement publicizing the commencement of their annual exercises on September 20th. (A brief message on Page 2 concerning the students' retreat suggests this may have been written in late May or June). September 1, 1859. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch informing him of preparations being made at the American Hotel in order to make it habitable for the opening of the academy. September 2, 1859. 4p.
Letter from Madame Antonia at the Carmelite Convent in Baltimore to Bishop Patrick Lynch. The Bishop's sister thanks him for visiting Baltimore and sends regards to the rest of the family. September 9, 1859. 4p.
Short letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning supplies ordered for the new convent, including verdigris, coal tar and blinds. September 23, 1859. 1p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch recounting news at the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste writes how the mayor, as promised, has checked up on them one night in John Lynch's absence. October 5, 1859. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch in answer to his query about boarding some of the Sisters of Mercy. At first she thinks it is a godsend to receive well trained individuals in the convent but soon realizes that they are probably "disaffected, fastidious members" and writes that "in my opinion no Religious should travel for her health." October 7, 1859. 4p.
John Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about ongoing renovations at the Ursuline Convent and his discussions with various contractors. He relates that the current night watchman wants to quit after half a month because of "(having) nothing to do, and lonesomeness" and John wants to hire in his place a Patrick Brennan, though he fears Mr. Brennan "might take in his pocket a companion." October 14, 1859. 2p.
