Lucas, Father Peter, St. Martinville, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1845 February 24

On the 22nd Lucas received Blanc's letter. If he has not given Blanc news about Father Giles F. Martin it is because if Martin knew it he would perhaps think that Lucas had said that he was sicker than he was and would have reproached him. Next Thursday it will be 5 weeks since his right side was paralysed. His speech is coming back now but he is still very ill. Lucas outlines their exercises for Lent here. During the week he has gone several times to Pont-Braux for Mass and Confession. Last year there were 100 burials and 325 baptisms. Almost everyone comes to Lucas; he sends them to Martin to arrange with him and then Lucas does the work. Finally Martin has begun to say that Lucas is trying to have the parish. Lucas asks more than ever for a change. As for St. Martin's, Blanc is not to think of Lucas. He is a young priest and has a reputation to preserve. If he had a second thing to ask after his change, it would be St. Charles. :: V-5-c A.L.S. French 4pp. 8vo.