Dabbs, Julia, Monroe, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 May 30

Dabbs' last letter to Blanc was suggested by Father Julius J. O'Dougherty who had written to Blanc in a despairing mood and wished to have the impression of that letter removed. Blanc will perceive from their town paper that Dr. C.H. Dabbs is yet a zealous friend of the Church, although not a Catholic. 22 pews are finished, more than half of which have been rented. The church carpenters stopped the day before O'Doherty left Monroe saying $2.50 per day was not enough for warm weather. All the carpenters have used one of Dr. Dabbs's houses free. Dr. Dabbs has written to another carpenter in New Orleans to finish the church, agreeably with his intention to give it up to Blanc. O'Doherty has found great fault with some parts of the church as being too expensive. The plan is the one adopted by Father Patrick Canavan, Mr. Filhiol and Dr. Dabbs, the building committee. Their pastor told his congregation that Dr. Dabbs was a drunkard not responsible for what he said and not a friend of the Church. And that he, O'Doherty would place church matters in other hands. Dr. Dabbs does not feel that another person should have the credit of completing it. The Doctor is a jovial person and too prone to laugh at the Irish. What remarks he made about O'Doherty, when a little tipsy, were too ridiculous to notice. Dr. Dabbs is a Free Mason and subscribed $100 toward building a lodge in Monroe. Julia's uncle, Mr. Filhiol, wishes Dr. Dabbs to have the church finished. The Protestant subscribers, who are perhaps more than half, will pay no one but Dr. Dabbs. The Doctor is a Democrat which appears not to please their pastor who is a strong Whig. About Dr. Dabbs' character Blanc is referred to Joseph H. Moore, commissioner of New Orleans, who is well known to Father Mullen of St. Patrick's as a strict Catholic and the godfather of Julia's son. Her feelings are so hurt that Dr. Dabbs should be thought of as an enemy of the Catholic Church; he got every name on the subscription list except 3. If he is permitted to finish the church in peace, she does not mention all the opposition among some of the Protestants, he will resign it to Blanc and not meddle with it any more. The Doctor understood that O'Doherty said that her family drove Canavan from Monroe. He was incorrectly informed for Canavan lived with them and wrote after he left expressing his gratitude. They were almost the only persons who liked Canavan; their only objection was his brogue. O'Doherty's sermons please generally. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo.