Beauprez, Father Peter Francis, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1846 January 13

Beauprez waited several days to reply to Blanc's letter because he wanted to see Michael Olinde for an explanation. Beauprez told Olinde that he had particular reasons for refusing permission for Father Jean Martin to marry his son. Martin came several times to perform marriages here, contrary to the rules of the diocese. Beauprez sees by Blanc's letter that Olinde said his son would be married by a judge. It is almost a custom here to be married by a judge; this is one of the reasons Beauprez wants to leave. He publishes the banns and afterwards G. Delamare marries them. What is most vexing is that it is three trustees, Charles Poydras, Delamare, and J.B. Bergeron, justices of the peace, who perform almost all of the marriages. They cannot find an excuse in the price as Beauprez has fixed it like that of the justices, $10 at home and $5 at the church and gratis if they have no means. This has been fixed for two and one-half years and out of 20 marriages Beauprez has had only 5 or 6 a year. His intention is firm to leave the parish June 1 when his year is up with the trustees and when Blanc has promised him an exeat. P.S. Beauprez has just celebrated the marriage of Adolphe T. Olinde and Estelle Bergeron :: V-5-e A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.