Chavaete, Father P.S., Woumen, Belgium, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1851 April 4

Chavaete received Blanc's two letters of February 14 and March 4 with the papers asked for. He did not reply at once as he saw that Blanc had not yet received his letter. Blanc says he has sold the certificates of the Canal Bank as well as those of the merchants to pay the legacies in the United States. As for Blanc's offer of the 30,000 francs from this sale, to be used up to the end of the year, Chavaete wants as much as possible to use the other certificates in order not to reduce the remainder for which he will have great use later. He has already bought much material for the building but most of it on credit and he will have no trouble finding the money here at 4 percent. He well understands what Blanc wrote in one of his letters that the aim is not to buy land and build but to provide for the Sisters and the unfortunates. Chavaete attaches much importance to this institute. This good, together with Father Francis Beauprez, will do much good in the commune, one of the poorest in the diocese. Of its 3200 souls, almost one half are poor and the Bureau of Charities cannot help them. If it continues for some years, Belgium will become another Ireland. The sale of the houses at Woumen took place several weeks ago; Chavaete was surprised at the low price at which they sold. The family will have only 6 or 7000 francs. Chaevaete has had to wait for the distribution because of a difficulty in the interpretation of the will. As for the legacy of 1000 piastres to the poor of his commune, Chavaete's superiors have told him that he could use them later for the unfortunate of the hospice. Chavaete again thanks Blanc for all the trouble he has taken; he relies on Blanc's justice. It is fortunate that the will is being executed in America; here the government is anti-Catholic. It is difficult to make a will here for good work. The 1000 Masses are nearly all said. In a few months the revenue from the houses in Bruges will complete the rest. :: VI-1-a A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.