To his secretary Fr Gioachino Berto

E V, 2561

He entrusts him with a series of errands to be carried out quickly – various gifts for the Archbishop of Buenos Aires: fine wines and books.

Alassio, 7 July 1877

My dear Fr Berto,

I am entrusting you with a series of errands, counting on the speed of your legs.

1. One or two cases of bottles for the Archbishop of Buenos Ayres. Bordeaux, Malaga, Barbera, Grignolino, Nebbiolo, Moscato di Strevi all up from 15 to 18 bottles; to lend the wine a touch of nobility at its birth, we might grant it a somewhat ancient lineage, thanks to a piece of land. This box should be prepared and sent to Genoa when I indicate.

2. As soon as the pamphlet on the Work of Mary H.C. is printed, have some copies quickly sent to me.

3. Note whether the dispensation obtained in favour of our Argentine clerics has been sent to its destination.

4. Help Fr Rua to make a list of all those who, cogente necessitate, can present themselves for ordination in the next batch, which I hope we will do next September in the diocese of Casale.

5. The blanket that the Sisters of M. H. C. gave to Don Bosco should be placed in a package with the relevant books and writings, either because they are written in different languages or because they refer to the Argentines, and sent to the Consul General of the Argentine Republic in Genoa to be returned to His Excellency the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. Please use the same address for the box with the bottles.

6. Without delay, have all the volumes of the Biblioteca italiana, Letture cattoliche. and all my short works bound, and send them to the same Archbishop in due course. by means of the Consulate.

7. As soon as copies of the Work of Mary H. C. are available, send them immediately to Nice; but do not forget to send some copies to Msgr Ceccarelli with a dozen copies of the General Chapter for Montevideo, Buenos Ayres, and San Nicolás.

8. May the love of God inflame all Salesians present, aspirants, and pray for your

most affectionate friend

Fr John Bosco