Lucas, Father Peter, New Iberia, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1846 January 19

Lucas is sorry that Blanc has taken the trouble to write him a letter in which there is not one word of justice; he excuses Blanc because he has been led into error. He buried these two men, despite ill health, in the coldest week of the winter. He asked for nothing. Mrs. Neuville Declouet proves it by her signature for her husband and Mrs. Valière Dauterive for her husband. The signatures are DeBlanc Neuville and Pouponne Dauterive . The latter writes above her signature that after the funeral Father Luccus asked for nothing from her. P.S. The day of Dauterive's funeral Lucas told the family that at St. Martin he had had nore than $3,000 worth of funerals and that he no longer wished to conduct them for nothing. If Father Louis Dufour had been content to receive the $50 this great confusion would not have resulted. If the family had asked for a reduction?, he would have given it as he did yesterday. Blanc says that Lucas did not tell him why he was not at the retreat. Dufour told Blanc that Lucas was sick. The next week he could not go to Grand Coteau because he had promised to be here. Next week he will go but not because of the reproaches in Blanc's letter. :: V-5-e A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.