Envelope from Confederate States of America, Department of State, addressed: "To His Eminence Cardinal Antonelli, President of the Council of Ministers and Secretary of State of His Holiness, etc., etc., etc., etc."
Letter from J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of State for the Confederate States of America, to Cardinal Antonelli, Cardinal Secretary of State, introducing P. N. Lynch, Bishop of Charleston.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch detailing his attempts to obtain an exemption from military service. He also writes that he fears state and Confederate taxes will be high this year but is glad "it is all pro patria." February 24, 1864. 1p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch announcing the birth of his son, James. He also mentions the movements of Confederate Generals Beauregard and Hood and the capture of Atlanta by General Sherman. In a postscript he offers the Bishop access to 100 pounds sterling while travelling in Europe. October 14, 1864. 2p.
Letter from Madame Baptiste to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from the Ursuline Convent and Academy. Madame Baptiste writes about purchasing provisions and asks the Bishop for advice on investing the "thousands of Confederate money" she expects as the pupils arrive for the new school year. July 31, 1863. 4p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning his shoe business. Francis asks the Bishop to collect payment from Colonel Hatch, Quartermaster General, and deposit it in his account in Charleston to cover another note. The Bank of South Carolina has refused Francis' offer to use Confederate bonds to cover the note. September 19, 1861. 2p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch about procuring provisions for the Ursuline Convent and Academy and about news of the war. John writes that the man hired to obtain the provisions fears impressment of the supplies and requests that the Bishop provide him an endorsed certificate that proves the goods are for the convent should any Confederate officers stop him. John also mentions the movement of troops through Columbia on their way to Tennessee where "Genl Lee and the President have planned a campaign against Rosencrantz (sic)". September 18, 1863. 4p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about her concerns over the war. She has heard that the British Consul in Charleston intends to leave and fears it is in anticipation of a Union attack. She recounts the story of a Catholic saint who, in a time of war, was able to summon a storm of gnats to disrupt the horses of the enemy and asks the Bishop, "can you not do something like that for Charleston?" She also asks the Bishop about investments, fearing that the Confederate currency might one day be worthless. February 5, 1863. 2p.
Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch about his need for cotton and an agreement he has secured to receive hides from a beef cattle merchant. July 11, 1863. 1p.
Letter from Francis Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch with news from Cheraw. Francis writes that he has finished constructing a house for some of the Bishop's slaves containing "two rooms, with dbl chimney in the middle" that he hopes will be sufficient. He also writes about his recent conscription, claiming the enrolling officer does not consider Francis to be a tanner which would have exempted him from service. August 24, 1863. 1p.
Letter from John Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning the Bishop's slave Daniel. The Confederate Army has been after the Bishop's overseer, Mr. Buff, to send Daniel to help on coastal defenses, but since Daniel is the "only road hand on the farm", he refuses. John asks the Bishop what course of action they should take since Daniel has been ordered to be at the depot in a few days. He also mentions the good news of the "repulse from Fort Sumter" during the late siege of the harbor commenting, "there must have been Irishmen in it." September 9, 1863. 3p.
Francis Lynch writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch concerning his flourishing shoe business. Francis describes sending 1000 pair of shoes to the Confederate government in addition to those already provided to Col. L. M. Hatch. September 7, 1861. 3p.
Madame Baptiste writes to Bishop Patrick Lynch regarding her attempt to send a letter to Father Hubert, a Catholic Confederate chaplain, to ask him to preside over their annual retreat. July 28, 1862. 1p.
Letter from Anna Lynch to Bishop Patrick Lynch asking him to inquire about a Mr. Laughlin who left Cheraw on assignment to a Confederate arsenal but has not been heard of since. February 25, 1863. 1p.
