Cointet, S.S.C., Father Francis, Notre Dame du Lac, Indiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1851 April 5

Father Francis Gouesse, C.S.C. has written a letter dated March 17, in which he said, "Father Edward F. Sorin, S.S.C. , in sending me here as Visitor, presented me to the Bishop as Spiritual Director. A new underhand dealing to add to all the others." In November 1849, the Father Superior, desiring to fulfill the promise he made to Blanc of sending a priest, appointed Gouesse director of the Asylum at New Orleans, Gouesse refused to obey; he wished to have a higher title. This disobedience, added to other faults, having come to the knowledge of the Mother house, they requested the Rector to write them to send away this disobedient subject if he did not become a perfect religious. But the Superior, who up to now had been extremely forebearing, wished to try once more; he thought Gouesse could do well at New Orleans. He gave him an obedience as Visitor with the intention of sending an obedience as Spiritual Director where the visit was finished. As soon as the certificate as Visitor arrived at Notre Dame, the Superior sent Gouesse the obedience as Spiritual Director, with the injunction to let him know whether he accepted it and with the declaration that no subject was to leave du Lac before accepting the obedience. It was not Sorin but to Cointet that Gouesse acknowledged receipt of the obedience. So, there was deceit in the Superior's conduct; Cointet wrote Gouesse in this vein. In the same letter, Gouesse wrote that Sorin had so many devious ways and that the affair with Father Stanislaus Buteux was a new proof. Gouesse will probably cry out at the injustice when he finds out that Sorin is not sending Brothers of Holy Cross to Buteux at this time. Being Sorin's assistant, Cointet must uphold his interests as well as the interests of justice. Cointet points out an error which has been in the ordo for three years. It was not the 16th but the 17th or June that Pius IX was elected. Also, Cointet does not see why their ordo forbids giving Communion on Holy Saturday to anyone but the sick, when the ceremonial printed in Baltimore, and approved by Pope Gregory XVI, permits giving Communion on that day in the parish churches. Cointet regrets being obliged to say that every year there are many incorrect things in this ordo. :: VI-1-a A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.