Autograph letter signed : Providence, to [Rev. John H. Hopkins], 1865 July 1.

Acknowledging receipt of the "Circular which you have proposed to be sent to the Southern Bishops; saying he is assuming that the clergy from the southern churches will attend the General Convention and "be greeted on our part in the spirit of kindness & Christian charity. I shall be glad individually to give them any assurance to this effect which may be deemed expedient. I have some doubts, however, as to the propriety of concerted action by the Bishops on the subjects [illegible] to the meeting of the Convention. I think there is reason to fear it might enkindle a spirit of opposition in certain quarters which would be detrimental to our harmony & peace when we come together in council...Will it not be better to leave it with each Bishop to write his friends at the South in such kindly terms as he may see fit to use & thus avoid the charges of prematurely stirring opposition among those who are indisposed to peace?"