Cessent, Father P.F.F., Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1852 May 26

He takes advantage of the departure of Father Joseph N. Brogard, whom business recalls to Louisiana, to ask pardon for what seems like ungrateful silence. It was through Blanc's kindness that Cessent was to accompany Bishop Joseph Rosati to Haiti where Cessent returned in 1844 and of which he was named Ecclesiastical Superior in 1846. Haiti was very difficult but he tried to render himself worthy by devotion and by works which did not have the result he wished for. At first he had great hopes, the government seemed to wish to abandon its prejudices against Europeans and Catholics. He had received some good priests; the bad ones disappeared. He had almost stopped the powerful propaganda of Protestantism; he was even thinking of a seminary and Sisters. But alas, the sky darkened more than ever; the emperor, who had made such fine promises, made himself the supreme head of religion, after the fashion of the Queen of England. Cessent refused all titles which were offered him. The bad priests resumed their evils, happy, they said, to be relieved of the tyranny of the Church. Those who wished to do their duty were persecuted. If this state persists, Cessent will go soon to again ask hospitality in the United States where religion goes from triumph to triumph. Cessent is happy to learn of Blanc's elevation to the archiepiscopacy. :: VI-1-c A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.