Chavaete, Father P.S., Woumen, Belgium, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1851 September 18

Chavaete received Blanc's letter of August 21; after reading it he was completely discouraged. He did not expect such crushing news. He had hoped to be able to meet the expenditures he has already made. The house looked as if it would be a great help, giving 300 piastres a year and now Chavaete can no longer count on it. Blanc had said this house was worth 6500; Chavaete does not know if the 115 shares of the association are included. Now Blanc says the repairs would amount to 3500 piastres. Here one could buy a very fine house for this price. Chavaete has already spent, for the purchase of the land and the construction, up to 30,000 francs. UP to now he has received nothing from what the deceased left. Since Blanc has advised Chavaete to sell this house, due to the impossibility of making repairs, would that not be a means of keeping the 115 shares and of buying something else? Chavaete would be satisfied with the revenue of this year's rent and the Louisiana shares and those of the insurance company. He hopes Blanc will do all he can to sell the house to good advantage. Chavaete sends the authorization Blanc asked for. A.L.S. Enclosure: