Fierabras, Father John Andrew, Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 February 5

Fierabras has just arrived here after an absence of three weeks spent in visiting his mission and making collections which took him as far as Baton Rouge where he made a good collection among the Irish who are working on the "plank road." On meeting the contractor at Natchez, Fierabras went down with him. Thanks to these little collections, Fierabras is at least some piastres nearer to paying for his house at Port Gibson . He thinks he made a good speculation; Mr. Moore is beginning to turn red to see that Fierabras gave him the pawn. Last Tuesday Moore said that if the masons have not begun work on the church by the first of March, he will give the contract to someone else. Fierabras' lawyer has not yet bought the schoolhouse; however he seems to still have the same intentions. Fierabras thinks he will spend Lent at Vicksburg, with a visit or two to Port Gibson. Bishop Chanche used to get Fierabras an ordo. This year he does not know where to get one. Father Richard B. Hardey was not able to tell him where the supply is. Fierabras has noticed some difference of opinion among his confreres and would like to submit some questions: 1. The Irish who work on the levees and other public works cannot obtain fast-day foods because the contractors say they are too expensive. Are they dispensed from abstinence? 2. Is a protestant who wishes to became a convert obliged to make restitution of income form interest which at the time he regarded only as business speculation, or is he held only to renouncing all usury for the future? Fierabras has just had a letter from Father Julian Guillou who says there is much sickness at Yazoo. Hardey is well. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.