Elliot, William St. John, Natchez, Mississippi, to Bishop Anthony Blanck!, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1841 February 25

Elliot found Blanc's letter of the 11th at his residence on the 23rdafter a week's absence. He has shown Blanc's letter to all the trustees but one; they all disclaim any intention of trespassing on Blanc's prerogatives or feelings. Elliot has no copy there of the resolutions he enclosed in his last respects. They meant only an action by the Board of Trustees as far as the money or temporal tie should be sundered and the spiritual attachments to be removed by Blanc and requested Elliot to enclose their resolutions to show Blanc how much they felt outraged by their priest. Elliot was sick and was prevented attending the meeting. Several trustees assure him they went there with the kindest feelings toward Father Joseph N. Brogard and were in hopes his offensive conduct was the effect of ignorance of temporal matters. Instead of showing regret he treated them with contempt. Today two of them said he refused to salute them on Sunday at the church door. Elliot has gone into detail not from any bad feelings to Brogard but in justification to the members acting in the matter. John B. Nevitt drafted the resolutions and trusts Blanc will not believe that one of his oldest and best friends would do anything wrong towards him or the Catholic Church. Elliot would not have held on so long but in hopes of keeping the property together until he could place it in the hands of the Bishop. Several of the trustees despairing of any Bishop accepting this See desire Elliot to say they would be very happy if Blanc could procure the services of Father S.H. Montgomery for this place in default of a Bishop. This is a very poor congregation. :: V-4-l A.L.S. 4pp. 4to.