Brian Condon: Letters and Documents in 19th Century Australian Catholic History

[Source: Adelaide Archdiocesan Archives copy]

His Majesty's Gaol

Sydney

14 August 1825

Reverend Sir,

I most respectfully beg leave to acquaint you that Webb, who is under sentence for execution tomorrow morning and who has been brought up in the protestant religion, most earnestly entreated Mr Toole to solicit your attendance this morning on him to give him an opportunity of confessing and receiving the Blessed Sacrament so as to enable him to die in the Catholic faith.

I am, Reverend Sir

Your most obedient and humble servant

William Kelly

[Note: The most extensive collection of transcriptions of Fr Therry's correspondence remains Eris O'Brien's The Foundation of Catholicism in Australia; life and letters of Archpriest John Joseph Therry, Sydney, Angus & Robertson, 1922]