Barthe, Father Edward, Houma, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1851 February 6

Barthe hastens to reply to Blanc's letter of January 16 which arrived the 5th. His health is better everyday although his legs are far from cured and the doctor says only sea baths will cure him. This is why Barthe will go to Illes for a mission of 2 weeks and take his cure at the same time. On his return, he will go to see Blanc or spend a few days at the seminary. He does not think he will open the jubilee before Easter; the spring work will keep many away. He could attend to those near Houma in the first few days of the two weeks; those further away than 15 miles in the second week. Those further than 50 miles, about 100, he will visit on his trip to the sea. He has begun to say the Masses Blanc sent, which will pay the $50 Blanc paid for him. In 5 months Barthe has had only 2 marriages, no burials, he has received 12 Mass offerings. When Father Hyacinthe Tumoine was ill, Barthe went to see him every two weeks. Barthe, isolated perforce, they try to isolate even more; he will soon think himself contagious. :: VI-1-a A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.