Claerhaud?, Hendrick ?, Bruges, Belgium, to Father Peter Francis Beauprez, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 1850 July 20

He received Beauprez's letter of May 30 on June 29. He hopes his health will be good enough to allow him to remain in Milwaukee where he seems to like it. Affairs in this country are about the same. He gives details of the economy and a procession. The Catholic party headed by the Bishop of Bruges and the former governor, Mr. De Muelenaere, tried to overthrow the liberal party but at Bruges Bishop Malou lost a great part of his influence. The assistant, Father Isac, has left Beauprez's house and gone to occupy that of another assistant of St. James, Father Maes, who has gone to England as director of a Sisters' Convent. Dissension arose between Maes and Mr. De Schoulmeester who said he should give 6 months notice before leaving Beauprez's house. This was settled in a friendly way as there have already been several occasions for renting it. Mrs. Van de Woumere has had stones sunk across the street to form a sort of gutter which brings the waste water from her house in front of Beauprez's house. They have appealed to the Regency, but in vain. Mr. Decrombrugger, owner of the house next to the one Isac occupied, has had a sidewalk built which keeps back all the water until it can sink into the ground. It is indispensable to do the same in front of Beauprez's houses. He has received 900 francs from Schoulmeester who says he has a little sum still in the treasury. Out of this, Claerhaud has taken the 519.28 francs paid to Grossé. Chavaete has told nothing about the farm at Woumen. Money is scarce and Claerhaud has found no one here or at Ghent to make the loan Beauprez proposes. Claerhaud's parents and brother send Beauprez their best wishes. They hope he can recover his health and return to his native country. Louis De Smet's brother-in-law came to see Claerhaud, who believes all will be settled satisfactorily. L.S. French :: V-5-n A.L.S., L.S. French 9pp. 4to. 12mo.