Hailandière, Bishop Celestin de la, Vincennes, Indiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1842 January 14

Hailandière is distressed by what Father Stanislaus Buteux wrote. Buteux is overwhelmed with debts on his churches; one burned and it is almost two years since he placed the first stone to rebuild it. He has not been able to raise the walls over a foot. Since Hailandière has been bishop of Vincennes, Buteux is the only priest he has given permission to take up a collection in New Orleans. He forbid Father Francis M. Masquelet to make any collections and if he changed in his case it was only because Blanc wished him to remain. Fathers Anthony Deydier and Louis Neyron did not try to collect in New Orleans for the expenses of their trip or even stop there. And all this time, many priests from other dioceses who had less need than those of Indiana were allowed to collect. And Blanc sends back the only priest Hailandière has sent! This favor will probably be the last one Hailandière will ask as bishop. He fears he is going to go bankrupt. Blanc can do as he pleases about Buteux. He asks Blanc to put Buteux in touch with the Sisters and tell him of his experiences with them. Buteux has an idea of the religious life which is not a true one. As for Bishop Michael Portier's note, Blanc has forgotten that Hailandière sent it in payment for provisions. Blanc's letter of December 30, 1840 will bear witness to that. Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget, at Louisville, has been dangerously ill; he is better. They have just learned of Father Maurice Berel's death. :: V-4-m A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.