Letter from Alexander Winster to William Lesley, 1666-11-12, Moray

Letter from Alexander Winster to William Lesley, 1666-11-12, Moray

Scotland

Mission reports

Other secular missionaries

Scottish Catholics abroad

Translation of a letter from Alexander Winster to William Lesley. Winster states to have only recently (at the beginning of the month) received the letter and package sent by William Lesley, more than eight or ten months before. They had arrived in Scotland three or four months earlier, but since he has been traveling he did not see them until now. He reports on the situation in Scotland, on the continuing need in the Highlands, on the financial situation of the schoolteacher, the financial situation of the mission in general, the great need of books for the school (as well as for ordinary Catholics), the fact that Giouanni Iruino [John Irvin] has not yet arrived from France, and that another missionary who arrived recently, has already passed away.  He furthermore writes about the problem of dividing the missionaries equally over the country (which he suggests PF might set up some rules about), the importance of the Huntly family and the usefulness of Winster's work among them. He also asks if PF or even William Lesley could write a letter to the young and devout Marquis of Huntly, to encourage him to persevere in the Catholic faith. Lastly he writes that the family and friends of William Lesley are doing well. The letter dated 12 November 1666. 

Date received 1667-02-3

Additional comments

Alexander Winster

APF SOCG 308, 306r-312r, 313v

1666-11-12

Addressed to William Lesley

Italian

Letter

350

Origin: Moray

Destination: Rome