Legendre, Father Edward E., St. John Baptist, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853?

Legendre has just received Blanc's reply. The first thing he remarked was that it had been opened by the pastor without giving Legendre a reason for doing so. Legendre agrees to remain at St. John Baptist. He has adopted the policy that he is here more for the parishioners than for the pastor. But it seems to him that he could do more good in a permanent place. The outbursts of Father Ve. Modeste Mina are only a pretext. Last Sunday the trustees met. Counting on his influence with them and aided by Mina, Legendre led them to favor the building of a new church. It was the time to speak of the interests of the other bank. The representatives of this side were delighted to see Legendre's independence and courage. They each promised him 500 piastres and one promised to build a chapel himself. The president of the trustees is for Legendre; he finds it just. Only the treasurer, the Freemason, was scandalised at Legendre's boldness. The whole parish disapproves of the corporation and complains of the wasting of money. Mina is not in the good graces of everyone. The most religious among the Creoles do not want to compromise themselves by dining at his house. At a baptism at the home of Antoine Boudousquié, Legendre sounded him out on the question. To satisfy a wish of his mother-in-law, Boudousquié wants to have a chapel built within three months for the use of that side, but to have it remain the property of the family. Legendre told him that Blanc would not accept this. However Legendre knows that Boudousquié will contribute with the others. They no longer see his family at the church?, except the Deslandes, Andrys, etc.? Legendre has said that three fourths of their parish are not only indifferent but Protestant; they say they would rather hang than change the religion of their parents. They blaspheme against Confession and the real presence. There are even fathers of families who send their children and wives to church and place their sons with minister teachers. Today Mina settled with Legendre for 20 piastres a month. Mina has all the fees, contrary to the laws of the corporation; it is immense. He would not want to see Legendre at the head of a subscription in favor of a chapel, and if the chapel were built, he would not consent to the revenue? of the pews nor for Legendre to say Mass there on Sundays. Mina has the responsibility for the ignorance and indifference of his parishioners. The people on the other side are in full agreement but they have no priest to bring it about; Legendre regrets not having full power. If he remains here, it is not because of the consideration that Blanc has nothing better to offer him. He can count on Legendre if Blanc has a difficult post. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.