Canavan, Father Patrick, Monroe, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1852 March 14

Having returned from a very difficult journey through swamps and bayous, he gives an account of Monroe mission. The church will be finished in April; Canavan does not know how to act to have it painted. All here charge so much; their money is all done in. He believes Dr. C.H. Dabbs sent an order on Blanc for $100; Dabbs says he got some of it and that Blanc paid $22 to Mr. Moore as the remainder of $50 Blanc subscribed. The doctor put Blanc for $100. If Blanc gave Canavan any of that, Canavan never received it as such. It is true Blanc gave Canavan $70 there; $20 for Father Aylward which Canavan gave him going up the Red River; $20 Canavan had to say Masses for; and the remainder, $30, would not pay half of what Canavan is indebted through these missions. Canavan has been on missions since he came to America, always spending his own. He would like to draw on Blanc for a few hundred dollars to have the church painted. At Shreveport mission he hopes to have 2 lots after April 3; a few are to buy these lots and Canavan promised to go there in May or sooner. If possible Blanc is to send another priest to Monroe or Shreveport; Canavan cannot attend all these missions and mind his health. :: VI-1-c A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.