Fontbonne, Father James, New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1846 July 24

Fontbonne told Blanc's vicar general that he wanted to tell Blanc of his decision to leave for Lyons on Blanc's return. His decision is in order to uphold good rules and right reason against Father Constantine Maenhaut, so-called rector of the Cathedral, whose idea of prelacy seems to have made insane. Blanc can decide whether he can leave Fontbonne at the Cathedral with such dispositions. If Blanc thinks he should go Fontbonne begs him not to refuse him letters of recommendation. If he thinks he should remain he is to show Fontbonne's letter to Maenhaut so that he will know what he has deal with. Fontbonne does not recognize the jurisdiction of the trustees any more than Maenhaut's. If Blanc wants to reduce the Cathedral to a mission according to the Fourth Council of Baltimore, Fontbonne would recognize Maenhaut as head of the mission. If one talks of a pastor, Fontbonne recognizes no one but Blanc. As for quasi pastor, that is ridiculous. :: V-5-f A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.