Beauprez, Father Peter Francis, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1845 April 30

Three weeks ago they had an election of trustees. There were 140 or more voters. The Conservatives won over the Reform party. The new trustees are John Laurans and Charles Poydras for Fausse Riviere, Marcellin Sicard and John Baptist Bergeron for L'ile and Valery Ledoux and Gustave Delamare . They met last Sunday. Sicard was absent; Ledoux is no longer president. They decided to reduce the pastor's salary and the sacristan's and the fees by 20 per cent. Beauprez's salary is $800, the sacristan's $350, a reduction of 12 per cent. The church has never been in a more prosperous state; without debts and $1600 in the treasury, without counting the 6,000 due the church; $2000 by Charles Morgan with $200 interest. The church made $9000 in three years; it spent about $1800 a year. Everyone is asking for a reduction of fees; he has heard that the trustees will make only a slight reduction. Fees amount to about $150. He hopes, with Blanc's permission, to be able to leave the parish unless there is a change. There is a triumvirate to be feared among the trustees: Poydras Delamare, and Ledoux. Blanc is to tell Beauprez how he should act and also to resolve the question of fees for burials shich are quoted here.Father Jean Martin came while Beauprez was in New Orleans and performed a marriage. Does Martin have jurisdiction in Beauprez's parish? Blanc will recall the incident between Father Boué and Father Hercule Brassac . The oldest are the first to infringe. P.S. Beauprez is indisposed from time to time; he will see next June. :: V-5-c A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to. 12