De L'hoste, Father, Dreux, France, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1845 April 4

De L'hoste thanks Blanc for his letter of February 7. He thanks Blanc for this new kindness. If there is a priest like De L'hoste who had a heart like ice in the service of God, and who was for years an unworthy priest, he is to tell him to ask a lively faith from God and he will enjoy untold joys. Mrs. Destrem's 's eight months of illness greatly edified De L'hoste. God called her on February 28. Mrs. Destrem made him her heir, but heir of what, if the lands in Louisiana have no value. For 7 years and 8 months he has contracted debts for Mrs Destrem which he cannot pay before a year and a half at least. He would like a portion of his lands given over to Mr. Zamora if he cannot be satisfied otherwise; perhaps he will agree that his debt is paid. However if he exacts more and wants Mrs. Destrem's land, they will have to be given to him. As for the negress with whom De L'hoste exchanged notes, he does not know how much she got from the sale of his house and furniture. The notes of his successor would not have to be endorsed by De L'hoste as he left Louisiana and he had no guarantee of the sale made. His conscience should be clear by giving Zamora his portion because: 1. He is giving double what he owes; 2. Zamora can sell them after 10 years at a high price; 3. Zamora is profiting by the bad times; 4. He gets almost 2000 piastres on 2 notes De L'hoste left with him. De L'hoste is counting on Blanc; whatever Blanc decides will satisfy his conscience even if he does not get one cent out of his 10,000 piastres spent. Blanc knows the example given by Mr. Villemain ; he will conclude that De L'hoste's presence in his family could do some good. De L'hoste has lost a mother and a friend; there remains for him the respect of his bishop. He asks pardon for the sorrows he caused Blanc. Blanc is to write to tell him of the results obtained by Mr. Daron . Blanc is to deliver the letters enclosed. P.S. Blanc is to tell Daron about the last three pages of this letter but keep from him the first page which is confidential. :: V-5-c A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.