Ledoux, Valery, Point Coupée, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1842 March 22

Ledoux has had Blanc's letter of the 13th since the 14th. Ledoux believes that the sentiments of the other members of the corporation are the same as those expressed in the letter of the 2nd of this month; that is, to establish union, peace, and understanding between the pastor and parishioners. Ledoux hopes that the contents of this letter will be such that Blanc will feel justified to intervene. The silence which their predecessors kept about Blanc's last letter was not because they were not disposed to return what their predecessors had taken but rather because they thought they did not have the right to return it. Toward the end of 1835 the trustees withdrew from Father Jean Martin $1000 which they had agreed to allow him. Ledoux admits that they were wrong in adopting this measure without previous communication with Blanc. In March or April, 1837 Martin instituted a law suit against the trustees to reclaim the $1000 and other sums due him. As a consequence the trustees have always doubted their right to make any arrangement with Martin while the case was still in court. In 1838 or '39 Martin proposed to arrange things by arbitration but he refused to accept the decision. Ledoux hopes that Blanc will never be obliged to interdict their churches. If the trustees think they can govern the church they are wrong. He himself is far from entertaining such an idea. The trustees have not had a meeting since Ledoux received Blanc's letter; he hopes at the next meeting to show it to them and do all he can to achieve the end they all desire. :: V-4-m A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.