ALS. The writer has arranged the documents "on the business of Canada" that PF keeps in "a state of confusion," and believes that the most urgent matters on which decisions must be made are [1] the erection of Montréal into an independent bishopric or vicariate [apostolic], [2] the procedure to be applied in the selection of the coadjutor of [the abp. of] Québec [Panet], [3] the inhibition to the Sulpicians to receive new members without the bp.'s permission, [4] various queries on Gallican régime in Canada, the Confrérie de Sainte-Marie-Auxiliatrice, a new version of the New Testament, the celebration of mass. Some issues have been before PF for eight or nine years and it is not clear whether decisions were made.
The addressee's association with PF is greeted as an "infusion of English business-like method" that "would greatly improve the secretary [Castracane degli Antelminelli]'s office and expedite the current business." The writer limits himself to a précis of the dispute over the powers of the bp. of Telmissus, Lartigue, and explains in detail the chronological sequence and the meaning of the enclosed following items: [1] A: In 1819 Plessis, abp. of Québec, in order to facilitate the British government's approval, suggested to the same to appoint Provencher and Lartigue "as coadjutors of and dependant on" the bp. of Québec;
[2] B: Bathurst's approval on this ground avoiding words bp. or vicar; [3] C-D: Necessary steps taken to give effect to the measure; [4]: original M by Lartigue's agents detailing reasons for opposition he encountered in Montréal; [5] a: Cappellari's letter authorizing the briefs not being published in full; [6] b: Bp. of Québec'a mandement whereby they were published; [7] c: as above (note: Montréal's population grew to 60,000 in 1825); [8] E: Lartigue and bp. Québec's M to British government to separate Québec from Montréal, to which a negative answer was foreseen; [9] G: Lartigue to Cappellari containing his formal resignation in anticipation of the British government negative answer [to E, H];
[10] H: Lartigue's alternatives, asking Holy See to be appointed bp. of vicar apostolic at once, and asking his agents to tender his resignation; [11] K-L: Documents proving Lartigue's troubles; [12] M: Lartigue's plans and instructions in case PF accedes to his plan. PF's inefficacy is also described with regard to Mauritius, England, Calcutta. [The balance of this item deals with England].