Mégret, Father Anthony Désiré, Vermillionville, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1850 December 30

Mégret wrote through their Sisters; he thinks it useful to write again. Day before yesterday he was called on by the same ladies he told Blanc about in his first letter. They are waiting for the arrival of the Sisters of Mount Carmel to learn the new personnel before deciding to withdraw their children. If Sister Elizabeth, O. Carm. 's health permits her to come, she will only have to hold her position, without any classes. Mother Théèse Chevrel, O. Carm. would not have to weigh sending her if she wants to save Notre Dame de Toute Grace. The families have confidence in Elizabeth. Mégret observed at Mrs. Chevallier de l'Homme 's house that H.G. no longer becomes intoxicated, although drinking a lot, since the retreat. There is perhaps hope that he might do good in a distant parish. If Mégret does not hear from the Trappists in a few weeks, they will lose the property Blanc visited; but could they not determine on another which would not have to be bought as it belongs to Mégret. It is 4 ½ leagues from Abbeville, 3 ½ from Lafayette, with excellent soil, on the west coast of Bayou Vermillion, with a small house where his farmer lives. There is a house which is going to be sold soon, as large as the one Blanc looked at on Mr. Briante ?'s land which Mégret could have moved. Mégret's church will not be finished before Easter or Pentecost. He has just sent to Mr. Derbè of St. Martin, the 137 piastres. P.S. Miss Cade, daughter of their senator, belonging to the Church of England as does her future husband, did not want either a preacher or a judge for her wedding. Both had received baptism. They made promises which give Mégret hope of seeing them some day in the true fold. They made the promises between them which are theologically required. Blanc can see that Mégret must have been surrounded by Protestants. There was really only one Catholic, the young brother of the wife whom Mégret had baptized several years ago. When the ceremony was over, her father told Mégret, before the whole-assembly, that up to then he had never suspected all the holiness of a Catholic marriage. Mrs. Cade often comes to Mégret's instructions. :: V-5-n A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to. 10