Lucas, Father Peter, West Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1847 August 17

The receipt of Blanc's amiable letter urges him to write without delay as well as the articles he awaits with such great impatience. He would like to have a cross, a censer, a ciborium and a monstrance. They could be sent safely on the Majestic which makes two trips a week. Ten months have not completely gone by since Lucas' arrival at this church where he found almost nothing. Now he has surplices, altar linens, a 400 pound bell and a fine holy water font of Italian marble. There was a debt of $400 and today there is $300 and some in the treasury to reduce it. Some $200 has come out of his pocket but others have not let themselves be outdone by his example. The number at Mass and Vespers grows every day; there are always more men than women, which astonishes him. On September 26 he plans to have a numerous First Communion; he has had catechism all summer. On the back, in another hand the mailboat? Captain? Martin leaves Wednesday and Saturday for the Balize. :: V-5-h A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.