Beauprez, Father Pierre Francois, Vermillionville, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1841 August 17

Beauprez has waited to let Blanc know the result of his letter to the trustees in the hope of writing something satisfactory but there is nothing. They have not only not taken into consideration what Blanc proposes about the building of a new church and the enclosing of a cemetery for the Protestants but they are determined to make no change for the better according to what Father Charles Henry Boutelou de St. Aubin told him a few days ago. Blanc saw that everything was in ruins. He fears the contractor will have to take away the new kitchen ? which is still without a chimney because it is not paid for. No one any longer pays pew rent because they know that for 10 or 12 years the rich, and amongst them the trustees, have not paid. They seem to be dissatisfied with Beauprez, probably because he wants to improve things and for that one must make collections. Or rather it is because they want Father Lawrence Peyretti who lets them leave everything as it is. If Beauprez had been in Blanc's place they would have been without a pastor a long time ago; there would be no more effective method to remedy it. That is how Bishop William Louis Dubourg felt in 1822 and 1824 when he told them he could not send them a pastor until they put the church in a decent condition and provided the things necessary for Mass. Also that they pay a fixed salary of $600 and half the fees. Beauprez showed them the two letters from Dubourg three months ago. Beauprez requested the same basis but they would not consent. Beauprez asks Blanc to give them a salutary punishment and to withdraw him; he can no longer stay. St. Aubin complained that the trustees gave him a salary of only $1200 and that they had appointed Mr. Lacombe singer and sacristan; Beauprez hopes Blanc will hear his just complaints and consider his reasons for wanting to leave., P.S. Beauprez thinks it his duty to explain it once and for all. :: V-4-l A.L.S. 4pp. 4to.