Francais, Father Nicholas, Charenton, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1851 November 10

Francais went to Abbeville to be reconciled with those men for he realized he was wrong in treating them badly. Father H. Thirion refused to see him or listen to him, shutting the door of the presbytery on him. Francais was so surprised he did not say a word. He gave Valsaint Veazey the accounts to collect; he did not see him as he was in a room with Father Anthony Désiré Mégret. He sent back Emile Veazey with the accounts and a letter from Mégret asking him to watch his conduct at Abbeville and if he had any claims to make, he was to address himself to the ecclesiastical authority. Francais made no claims except to give his accounts to another collector. He took care to have two witnesses to attest to his conduct. Last year Mégret held two burials in Francais' cemetery and a wedding and refused to pay Francais. Thirion claims to have a letter authorizing him to keep all Francais' furniture as well as the pew rent. Father J.E. Blin did not decide to leave his to the presbytery. Francais deprived himself at Abbeville in order to face everything. Francais has been ill for two days. He knows that Emile Veazey has gone to New Orleans to bring Blanc all the accusations Mégret has against him but Francais' conscience does not reproach him. His former parishioners welcomed him in spite of what these men did to set them against him. He was discouraged to see this parish in such a state; he left it in such a prosperous one. He left it because of Mégret. Blanc is to tell Francais if he is to come to see Blanc to reply to the accusations. :: VI-1-b A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.