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1861, May 16
Bishops Meade, Johns, and Atkinson, Richmond, Va., to Bishop Polk and to other bishops of the Confederate States, re: the Appointed meeting of the Bishops and delegates of the Diocese within the Confederate States, at Montgomery on July 3; requiring a postponement of this meeting for a month or two and requesting also that the meeting place be changed to Nashville, or Sewanee, Tenn. 1p. (1 mss. original, 1 typed copy).
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Richmond, May 16th, 1861
The Right Revd Thomas F. Davis D.D. The Right Revd Stephen Elliott D.D. The Right Revd Francis H. Rutledge D.D. The Right Revd William M. Green D.D. The Right Revd Leonidas Polk D.D. The RIght Revd Alexander Gregg D.D.
Right Revd & dear Brethren
We observe that a meeting of the Bishops & of Delegates of the Dioceses within the Confederate States has been appointed to be held at Montgomery on the 3rd of July next, in order to consider the present relations & the proper future course of those Dioceses. The results of that meeting will be likely to affect the position & conduct of Dioceses situated as ours are, in States not yet in union with "The Confederate States" but which desire & will probably soon accomplish that Union. In this state of things it seems to us that the welfare of our Dioceses will be better served & the unity & prosperity of The Church in all the Southern States advanced by having as formal a representation as possible of the Southern Dioceses at that meeting. But for this purpose a change of the time & place of the meeting will be highly expedient if not absolutely necessary. We therefore respectfully & affirmatively beg to suggest to you. The propriety of deferring the time of meeting for a month or two & of appointing for the place Raleigh or Asheville in North Carolina, or Sewanee in Tennessee.
We remain very truly Your friends and brethren William Meade J. Johns Thomas A> Wilkinson
N.B. This letter is a copy of one signed by Bishops Mead Johns & Atkinson, & which Bishop [A. Moss?] requested to forward. An early answer is wished. Th. Atkinson
