Mégret, Father Anthony Désiré, Abbeville, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1847 August 12

He has waited to write, uncertain as to what he should do. The reproaches in Blanc's letter of the 24th are only the result of impressions gained from talk he has heard about Mégret. Blanc believes those who deceive him. Mégret's assistant has surrounded himself with men who are enemies of his pastor; he has alienated Mr. Poltin at St. James and stirred up Seris, workman at the presbytery. When old Labarthe defended Mégret, he hit him on the lip with a stick. He had told Blanc that he would pay at the end of April but the sum he counted on has not yet come and he was far from expecting Adrien? Dumartrait 's deceit. He had other things to do at that time than writing to Blanc to ask $400 credit. Blanc asked the intervention of the pastor of St. Martin who informed Mégret of Blanc's fears. To dispel all suspicion Mégret said that he would have his sale on the 25th of this month. He advertised the lumber for St. Martin Church, his property of 10 by 40 arpents, his negro and negress, his house in Lafayette, etc.. At Abbeville he has sold on contract: 5 lots to Nicolas Desoudry ?, a lot to Edouard Broussard, another to Camile Landry, a lot and house to Germain Bouquinet, 2 lots to Victor Boete, 2 to Achille Mouchet and one to Rosemond Boudreau, in all $3000 payable in 1857 at 8 per cent. He is hurrying up the presbytery; in a month Blanc can house a priest there. On his return he will send Blanc the reply to the letter of the French consul. If Blanc's intention is that Mégret remain some time longer at Vermilionville, he will sell what he can but he does not want a public sale. He will reserve the lumber for St. Martin and the negress and Blanc could buy the first two items. Mégret is going to write to the Sisters of Mount Carmel to turn over to Blanc the 200 piastres they do not know they owe? Mégret. They could also use the lumber for St. Martin as they must enlarge. If Mégret does not have word from Blanc before the 25th he will proceed with his sale. P.S. The poor harvest has kept Mégret from pressing his creditors; more than 2000 piastres is owed him. The handwriting of this letter is difficult to read; this translation is questionable. :: V-5-h A.L.S. French 4pp. folio 16