Barthe, Father Edward, Houma, Louisiana, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1849 March 14

He replies to Blanc's letter of the 10th to thank him for the 15 Mass intentions. He has signed a draft on Blanc's account for Messrs. Frost and Springer payable July 1. He will have the money for the Mass intentions brought by Father Charles M. Ménard, pastor of Thibodaux, when he goes for the holy oils. He has been asked, with Deputy Sheriff Mr. Verret to collect the subscription for the church although money is very scarce with the Creoles. They hope to collect $1800. There will remain $1000 to cover the expenses and debt contracted by Fathers F. Charles Boutelou de St. Aubin and Z.? Levesque for this church which the members of the committee are willing to assume and toward the end of the month will come to see Blanc about where to go for this loan. The debt is $2800 as scarcely anything had been paid. There has been a real swindle. The debts once paid, they will give the work to a contractor. The cholera has gone, and while the river goes up the bayous are low. V-5-k - A.L.S. - French - 3pp. - 4to. - {8}