Hailandière, Bishop Célestin de la, Vincennes, Indiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1843 October 1

Hailandière received Blanc's letter of August 3 while on his trip and the one of the 12th on his return to Vincennes. He regrets that he did not meet Mr. Poincy . He thanks Blanc for reducing his request; if he had known the prices were so high he would not have bought the red wine. He learned in a letter from Father Rousselon that Blanc's troubles had begun again. He suspected that all was not over as he knew too well the bad leaven working for a long time in New Orleans. At Vincennes Father Roman Weinzoepfel 's trial has been postponed six months. Their school is going into other hands. Hailandière wrote to St. Joseph about withdrawing the Sisters of Charity . The superior's last letter did not seem to be one that he could submit to. All this is secret. At St. Louis they do not know the truth about the schools. The College of St. Gabriel seems to want to confuse itself more; Hailandière has yet to receive a visit from Father Stanislaus Buteux although he is the "fac totum" of the house. They are expecting 2 or 3 Eudists from Trinidad; they are to go through New Orleans. Blanc is to advise them to get in touch with the bishop, otherwise the College will not last. The long trip Hailandière just made in the south of his diocese was full of consolation. He visited 9 new churches which were not there 3 years ago. At Indianapolis 3 years ago there were only 15 Catholics and one person to be confirmed. This year 25 are to be confirmed and there are more than 300 Catholics. He does not doubt that in a few years the episcopal see will be moved there. It is already almost twice the size of Vincennes. Hailandière has not built a seminary; he is going to leave his house to the young people; he will live in a wooden house until the money comes in. May the good Lazarists never fail Blanc. P.S. Archbishop Samuel Eccleston and Father Louis Regis Deluol crossed Indiana without going through Vincennes. Their avowed aim is the Archbishop's health which they say is better for the trip; the real aim, in Hailandière's opinion was the affair about the Sisters of Providence? . Will the novitiate be at St. Louis? Hailandière's private correspondence tells him that nothing has been decided. Blanc's chances are becoming brighter; Hailandière is not a competitor. :: V-4-o A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to. 11