Blin, Father J.E., New Orleans, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1852 December 30

Blin bestowed on little Jules Blanchet, twenty piastres which he received twice by mistake as Blanc will learn by the enclose note. Blin could use the surplus 20 for the poor sister of Father Julien Priour ; Blanc sees Mrs. Jules' letter, as his note was collected by the latter. As Blanc will see by her letter, she insists on claiming the complement of $150. Blin is just as insistent in believing that she should content herself with the courtesies shown her and her family. There was never any agreement between her and Blin. He does not know of anyone who could claim a debt from him. He has advanced more than $500 for the church of New Iberia for debts which would not have to be paid until next March, the collection for fees and pews not having been made since last March, an observation the collector omitted. Another error is that his coming to New Iberia should be dated March 1, 1850 instead of the 11th. At the last retreat, Blin asked Father Nicholas Francais for 20 piastres for a wedding held in Blin's parish; Francais asked Blin for 60 on the pews at L'Anse . This claim would not have been out of order if Blin had received all the money for these things, if he had paid Blin for his furniture, and if since Francais was pastor there, Blin had not finished off the debts on his church, even though he had not been fully paid. So, Francais kept the $20 as a payment on account. Is it just that Blin pay this 60 after he spent more than $3000 at L'Anse, not counting the subscription, nor his furniture, nor pay for the sacristan, singers, altar boys, etc. At the time of Mr. Darby' s trip, Blanc, startled when he saw a debt of more than $500 due the pastor, observed that, whatever the loss of the church, the pastor always did his part and nothing remained for the church. Blin repeats that he collected almost nothing in fees from March to last July, nothing on the pews at New Iberia, rented last Easter for 1120, nothing on those of Mrs. Patout? 's church, opened last April, and rented for $300. He has left no debts. Past records prove that he did do his part; the observation hurt him deeply. He remained at New Iberia in spite of his desire to come to St. Augustine's, a new proof of his disinterestedness. He thanks Blanc for transferring him to a post where he finds himself as happy as a priest can be in this country. He left things at the presbytery at New Iberia to the value of $72; this could go for the wine. He does not count three new surplices and two fine banners? at the church. Patterson paid Blanc only 50 of the $191 owed him. He gave an equal donation to Mrs. Patou's church with 18 acres of land. The church is under the patronage of St. Nicholas. A.L.S. Enclosure: