Mégret, Father Anthony Desiré, New Iberia, Louisiana, to Bishop Antho y Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1844 December 18

After waiting at New Iberia for a boat, Mégret now must return home for Christmas; he will start out again in January. In the third week of November, five lawsuits, two of them criminal, were brought against him in district court; Mégret won the five suits. 1st case: A father claimed money from his son which was not due him. Mégret settled the case amicably. 2nd case: Mégret had made a contract for work on the church at Abbeville to pay a workman $200; the workman then demanded $175 more. 3rd case: During his handling of the treasury of the fabrique Mégret had ordered some work done; after his administration expired the workman presented the bill to Mégret who sent him to those who should pay it. 4th case: He was accused of performing a marriage without a license from the Judge. 5th case: He was accused of performing a marriage with a license made out in some else's name. The parish judge, an ex-trustee, was the accuser. Mr. Woorhies Martin Joseph Voorhies, a relative of the governor, was Mégret's lawyer, a man of learning and principles. Judge Boice H. Boyce also merits the same praise. It was proved that Mégret was within the limits of his spiritual powers with which the civil law has nothing to do. The law of May 27, 1843 being unconstitutional in what it imposes on Catholic priests, Boice told the parish judge that if he did not like to give a license to Mégret in his own name, because he was not a citizen, he must give it without a name to whomever would perform the ceremony. Blanc and Mégret talked about this at St. Martinville last year. Voorhies has been sent to the convention to represent Attakapas . He is a very honest man; there is no doubt he will lift the load from religion if he can. They talk at St. Martinville of building an Episcopalian church; a minister has been sent there who has already held services in the court house. Father Giles F. Martin told Mégret to tell Blanc and ask him what to do. :: V-5-b A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.