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March 19, 1861
Otey from Lay

My Dear Bishop Otey,

You have requested
me to reduce to writing the views ex-
pressed in conversation respecting the
Pastoral lately issued by Bishop
Polk.

I trust that the privacy of
this discussion, and the common
interest which we have in this
matter, will exempt me, the least
wise and inexperienced of our body,
from any resemblance of presumption
in frankly expressing my opinion.

I dissent from the main
position of that Pastoral. Its language
is "The State of Louisiana, having
withdrawn &c has by that act
removed our diocese from within
the pale of the P.E.C. in the U.S."

I deny that the State has it in