Barthe, Father Edward, Houma, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1850 December 28

Barthe cannot let the year end without giving news of Terrebonne and replying to Blanc's last letter. He has only praise for the parishioners. It will not be long before the church is ready to accommodate them. The estimate of $350 for the windows has been accepted. Mr. Lirette who is to furnish the wood for the floors and pews will begin as soon as high water permits bringing the logs to the sawmill. When Barthe was ill with erysipelas, he was abandoned by his confreres. Father Charles M. Ménard passed close to the presbytery but did not come to console him. When Barthe received Blanc's letter he could not read it because his eyes were swollen shut but a young Frenchman read it to him. This man could not get over his astonishment but Barthe told him that the friends of Job insulted him even in his misery. When his health permits, Barthe will go to the seminary. :: V-5-n A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.