Ménard, Father Charles M., Lafourche Interieure, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1851 July 30

Ménard thinks Blanc received a letter through Father Cornelius Moynihan Specifying the reasons for Father Philibert Jordain' s leaving. He will also have received through Jordain some lines in regard to the admissions Jordain made on the 25th, the eve of his departure. Today circumstances force Ménard to relate an affair which makes Ménard appear like a thief. Jordain had asked Ménard several times to buy his horse since he had no cash. On the 25th Ménard decided to buy it to oblige him; he had no real need of it. He bought it for $100 cash. He even offered Jordain to find a buyer who would give more; Jordain refused. But Ménard did not ask for a receipt. Today a Joseph Devillard came and said Jordain, who owed him quite a sum, had told him at Donaldson that he could take the horse in payment, that Ménard had not paid for it and that if Ménard wanted to keep the horse he could give Devillard 100 piastres. If necessary, Ménard will defend himself but it is shameful. Blanc is to ask Jordain, if he is in town, to give Ménard a receipt. If he is no longer in the diocese, as he said he intended to leave, Ménard will defend himself, if necessary, but it will be humiliating. :: VI-1-b A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.