Anduze, Father Matthew Bernard, New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1844 February 27

Blanc's not answering Anduze's two last letters is an affront to an old priest. Several days ago Dr. Labatut gave Anduze an exeat which Blanc had addressed to Labatut for Anduze. The form of this document could not help but annoy a priest who has worked in the diocese of his ordination for 25 years. Anduze asks Blanc to change it. The document, in a way, takes away his character as a priest; has Blanc reflected that a partial censure would be equivalent to an excommunication? For two years Blanc has deprived Anduze of an income of $3000. In this land of liberty and justice there is no ecclesiastical court to which a priest can have recourse. He can no longer remain in the position in which Blanc has placed him. Fathers P., Ev., and Bé. left the diocese with good recommendations and Anduze is forced to remain and live as he can because it is believed that he is the cause of Father Stephen Roussel on not being pastor of the Cathedral. He hopes Blanc will one day be convinced that he was deceived. :: V-5-a A.L.S. French 3pp. folio