Darby, P.?, New Iberia, Louisiana, to Father H. Thirion, Abbeville, Louisiana?, 1851 December 6

Darby received Thirion's two letters yesterday, the first dated October 22 and the other November 17. In the first he asked Darby to give Mr. David or by some other way, the $30, the price of Darby's marriage. Darby finds this too high; he hopes Thirion will not insist on it as knowing that he owes the Bishop $10 for dispensing from 2 banns and doing business with him, Darby could easily credit his account with this amount. Darby would like Thirion to show him the law authorizing him to ask $30 for a marriage. Darby knows he owes Thirion a small amount for coming to his Aunt Dubuclet' s house and something for the marriage but nothing more. Darby sees that the Bishop agreed to David as Thirion's collector; Thirion must have something against Darby since he is the collector for the church. The only thing Darby can see that Thirion would have against him is that he welcomed Thirion with open arms when he came to New Iberia or that he authorized his signature on the first petition sent to the Bishop to ask for Thirion as their priest. Darby also sees that the Bishop wishes to enter into the division of the services and burials, and since Darby is his agent for St. Peter's Church, it seems just that Thirion give Darby the Bishop's share as soon as possible as the church owes a lot. When this is settled Darby will pay what he thinks just for his marriage. Darby wants to know why Thirion did not keep his word to settle with Darby before he left for Abbeville. Darby had the weakness of giving Thirion $50 for services for Josephine Pellerin. In his second letter Thirion asked Darby to give Mr. Fonteliere $30 for his marriage; Darby's comment has already been made. The church no longer belongs to the trustees but to the Bishop. Darby will use all honest means to keep from paying the sum. P.S. He sends respects to Mr. Mitchell :: VI-1-b A.L.S. French 3pp. folio