Dufour, Father Louis, St. Martinville, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1845 August 22

The Propagateur Catholique has informed them of Blanc's arrival. Since Blanc advised Dufour not to tolerate any longer this encroachment on the spiritual realm of the church by Adrien Dumartrait, Dufour believes it his duty to take the first occasion to put an end to it. He has already announced that it is necessary to let him know when some one dies and the funeral is to be the next day. But today, as Blanc will see by Dumartrait's letter, some one came to Dumartrait as the highest authority. As for the Mass, he promised it for nine Fridays, when he was free so how can Drousin Broussard complain to Dumartrait? Dufour gives other instances of the pastor being treated like a paid servant. Dufour's idea is that the pastor should be as independent of the fabrique as possible. He should have a fixed salary of 600 piastres and the fees which belong to him Father Giles F. ? Martin could give Blanc some figures on fees. P.S. The fabrique has no right to the fees for marriages, which are set at 9 piastres. A.L.S. French Enclosure: