19. The Unitarians have societies and ministers at Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, and probably in other places.
There are many other sects and fragments in the West. The Valley of the Mississippi, like all new countries, is a wide and fertile field for the propagation of error, as it is for the display of truth.
IX. Roman Catholics.
The number of Papal Diocesses in the Valley, including the one at Mobile, is seven, of each of which a very brief sketch will be given, commencing with,
1. Detroit, including Michigan and the North-Western Territory,—1 bishop, with sub-officers, 18 priests, and as many chapels. At Detroit and vicinity, for 2 or 3 miles, including the French, Irish and Germans, Roman Catholic families make up one third of the population; probably 3,500, of all ages. At Ann Arbor, and in the towns of Webster, Scio, Northfield, Lima and Dexter are many. At and near Bert rand on the St. Joseph's river, adjoining Indiana, they have a school established and an Indian mission. Including the fur traders, and Indians, they may be estimated at 10,000 in this Diocess.[12]
2. Cincinnati.—A large cathedral has been built in this place, and 15 or 520 chapels in the Diocess. Ten years ago, the late bishop Fenwick could not count up 500. The emigration of foreigners, and the laborers on the Ohio canals, and not a little success in proselyting, account for the increase. There are 25 congregations, and 18 priests. A literary institution, called the Athenæum, is established at Cincinnati, where the students are required to attend the forms of worship, and the Superior inspects all their letters. St. Peter's Orphan Asylum is under charge of 4 "Sisters of Charity." The number of Catholics in Cincinnati is variously estimated, the medium of which is 6000, and as many more dispersed through the State.
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 Washington county; the college at Bardstown, already noticed, and St. Mary's Seminary in Washington county, for the education of priests. Of female institutions, 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, Washington 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, Washington 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: