Armand, Father P., Gap, France, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1845 February 8

In June 1844 Armand wrote to Blanc and to Mr. Vezian. These two letters have remained unanswered. Whatever the cause Armand has had no news of Blanc. He learned that Father Ferdinand Dominic Bach had replaced Father Stephen Rousselon at the cathedral. He asks Blanc to give him news of them and of Fathers Bonniot, Permoli, Mascaroni and Asensio. It is not living to be always ill and able to do almost nothing. His hepatitis is becoming more dangerous; when he gives instructions for half an hour he is out of breath. He is pastor in his native country; it is a temporary arrangement for a year. The Bishop of Gap has a new succursal chapel in the same parish and Armand has an assistant who does almost everything. Armand has care of 460 souls. He and Bishop Rossat, transferred to Verdun, have talked together about Blanc and Louisiana. They have been given Bishop Depéry who also knows Blanc and Bishops Portier and Loras. In his letter to Vezian Armand asked him about his lands at Plaquemine and Bouligny. If Blanc can use them he can buy them through Vezian. They are all he has as he was robbed of everything several months after his arrival in France. Seeing death near, Armand does not want to become attached to anything. He has given an ecclesiastical establishment 15,000 francs. He got rid of some property in favor of one of his brothers. He has 800 francs as his salary. Rossat and Depéry offered him a titular canoncy but their canons are not in a hurry to give place to others, and they are right. If his two lands are sold, the amount is to be sent to him. If not, if a lifetime rent is paid to him, and Blanc prefers to send him Masses, he could say 150 a year which he would accept as rent. If Armand dies, the pastor of La Bache, near Gap, will write to Blanc. He asks Blanc to remember him to the Mazureaus, Resprés, Garridel, and Lacoste families, and all his old congregation. Armand will write Vezian again. He sends regards to Fathers Rousselon, Maenhaut, and D'hauw; also Fathers Faure and Chalons, the Daron family. Amilie D'Aquin and élicité Foucher are to remember him in their frequent Communions and if élicité? Trepanier and Charlotte Teynes are professed, they are to pray for him. The day he left New Orleans he gave Vezian a bank note for $100 and 17 piastres in small change. If he has not spent it for repairs on the two pieces of land, he is to send it to him. Also in his room he had a wardrobe, his bookcase; his books are at Mr. Dalliole's. If all is sold, the money is to be sent to him. His address is Aspremont. :: V-5-c A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.