Part 27 (1/2)

3. _Bardstown._--This includes the State of Kentucky, and has a bishop, with the usual subordinates, 27 congregations, and 33 priests, 11 of whom reside at Bardstown. A convent of 6 Jesuit priests at Lebanon; another of 5 Dominicans, called St. Rose, in Was.h.i.+ngton county; the college at Bardstown, already noticed, and St. Mary's Seminary in Was.h.i.+ngton county, for the education of priests. Of _female_ inst.i.tutions, there are the _Female Academy of Nazareth_ at Bardstown, conducted by the ”Sisters of Charity,” and superintended by the bishop and professors of St. Joseph's college,--150 pupils; the female academy of Loretto, Was.h.i.+ngton county, with accommodation for 100 boarders, and directed by the ”_Sisters of Mary at the foot of the cross_.” This order have six other places for country schools, and are said to be 135 in number. The _Convent of Holy Mary_, and the _Monastery of St.

Magdalene_, at St. Rose, Was.h.i.+ngton county, by Dominican nuns, 15 in number, and in 1831, 30 pupils. The Catholics have a female academy at Lexington with 100 pupils.

I have no data to show the Roman Catholic population of this State, but it is by no means proportionate to the formidable machinery here exhibited. All this array of colleges, seminaries, monasteries, convents and nunneries is for the work of proselyting, and if they are not successful, it only shows that the current of popular sentiment sets strongly in another direction.

4. _Vincennes._--This is a new Diocess, recently carved out of Indiana and Illinois by the authority of an old gentleman, who lives in the city of Rome! It includes a dozen chapels, 4 or 5 priests, the St.

Claire convent at Vincennes, with several other appendages. The Roman Catholic population of this State is not numerous, probably not exceeding 3000. Illinois has about 5000, a part of which is under the jurisdiction of St. Louis Diocess. In Illinois there are 10 churches, and 6 priests, a part of which are included in the Diocess of Indiana. A convent of nuns of the ”_Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary_,” at Kaskaskia, who conduct a female school, with a few boarders and about 30 or 40 day scholars.

5. _St. Louis._--This Diocess includes 18 congregations and 19 priests, with the following appendages:

1. _St. Louis University_, already noticed, with 6 priests for instructors, and 150 students, of which, about 80 are boarders. The rules require their attendance on morning and evening prayers, the catechism, and divine service on Sundays and holidays. 2. St. Mary's College, also noticed in our description of colleges. 3. Noviciate for _Jesuits under St. Stanislaus_, in St. Louis county. Of female inst.i.tutions there are,--1. Convent of the ”_Ladies of the Sacred Heart_,” at St. Louis; 2. another of the same description, and their noviciate, at Florrissant;--3. another of the same order at St.

Charles;--4. a female academy at Carondalet, six miles below St. Louis, by the ”_Sisters of Charity_;”--5. a convent and academy of the ”_Sisters of Loretto_,” at New Madrid;--6. a convent and female academy at Frederickstown, under supervision of a priest;--7. a convent and female academy of the ”_Sisters of Loretto_,” in Perry county. The Roman Catholic population in Missouri does not exceed 15,000. Their pupils, of both s.e.xes, may be estimated at 700. To the above may be added the hospital, and the asylum for boys, in St. Louis, under the management of the Sisters of Charity.

Roman Catholic teachers, usually foreigners, disperse themselves through the country, and engage in teaching primary schools; availing themselves of intercourse with the families of their employers to instruct them in the dogmas of their religion. The greatest success that has attended the efforts of the priests in converting others, has been during the prevalence of the cholera, and especially after collapse and insensibility had seized the person! We know of more than 60 Roman Catholics who have been converted to the faith of Christ and joined Christian churches within 3 or 4 years past, in this State.

6. _New Orleans._--The Roman Catholics in Louisiana are numerous, probably including one third of the population. Relatively, Protestants are increasing, as a large proportion of the emigration from the other States, who care any thing about religion, are Protestants. There are 26 congregations, and 27 priests with several convents, female seminaries, asylums, &c.

7. _Mobile._--A splendid cathedral has been commenced here. This Diocess extends into Florida.

FOOTNOTES:

[12] The reader will note that our estimates of Roman Catholics include the whole family of every age. Whereas, our statistics of Protestant denominations included only communicants.

CHAPTER XV.

Suggestions to Emigrants--Ca.n.a.l, Steamboat and Stage Routes--Other Modes of Travel--Expenses--Roads, Distances, &c. &c.

In the concluding chapter to this GUIDE, it is proposed to give such information as is always desirable to emigrants upon removing, or travelling for any purpose, to the West.

1. Persons in moderate circ.u.mstances, or who would save time and expense, need not make a visit to the West, to ascertain particulars previous to removal. A few general facts, easily collected from a hundred sources, will enable persons to decide the great question whether they will emigrate to the Valley. By the same means, emigrants may determine to what State, and to what part of that State, their course shall be directed. There are many things that a person of plain, common sense will take for granted without inquiry,--such as facilities for obtaining all the necessaries of life; the readiness with which property of any description may be obtained for a fair value, and especially farms and wild land; that they can live where hundreds of thousands of others of similar habits and feelings live; and above all, they should take it for granted, that there are difficulties to be encountered in every country, and in all business,--that these difficulties can be surmounted with reasonable effort, patience and perseverance, and that in every country, people sicken and die.

2. Having decided to what State and part of the State an emigrant will remove, let him then conclude to take as little furniture and other luggage as he can do with, especially if he comes by public conveyances.

Those who reside within convenient distance of a sea port, would find it both safe and economical to s.h.i.+p by New Orleans, in boxes, such articles as are not wanted on the road, especially if they steer for the navigable waters of the Mississippi. Bed and other clothing, books, &c., packed in boxes, like merchants' goods, will go much safer and cheaper by New Orleans, than by any of the inland routes. I have received more than one hundred packages and boxes, from eastern ports, by that route, within 20 years, and never lost one. Boxes should be marked to the owner or his agent at the river port where destined, and to the charge of some forwarding house in New Orleans. The freight and charges may be paid when the boxes are received.

3. If a person designs to remove to the north part of Ohio, and Indiana, to Chicago and vicinity, or to Michigan, or Greenbay, his course would be by the New York ca.n.a.l, and the lakes. The following table, showing the time of the opening of the ca.n.a.l at Albany and Buffalo, and the opening of the lake, from 1827 to 1835, is from a report of a committee at Buffalo to the common council of that city. It will be of use to those who wish to take the northern route in the spring.

------+-----------------+-----------------+-----------------

Ca.n.a.l opened at

Ca.n.a.l opened at

Lake Erie opened Year.

Buffalo.

Albany.

at Buffalo.

------+-----------------+-----------------+----------------- 1827

April 21

April 21

April 21 1828

” 1

” 1

” 1 1829

” 25

” 29

May 10 1830

” 15

” 20

April 6 1831

” 16

” 16

May 8 1832

” 18