Hardey, Father Richard B., Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 May 30

Hardey wrote some time before Ascension in answer to Blanc's letter. Hardey always derives so much pleasure and encouragement from Blanc's letters. In the present state of things, he does not know what more he could do than what he has done. Father Stephen B. Montgomery cannot do more than he has already done. If Hardey's health continues good, he will succeed in effecting all he anticipates. He has sometimes felt uneasy on account of the secret machinations of Montgomery and his 3 or 4 apparent friends. He had sometimes feared that by false statements they may have given Blanc an erroneous idea of matters. Montgomery is a stumbling block in the way of religion here. He has his key, enters the church often, is in Hardey's way on Sundays. He divides the congregation and keeps the people in a ferment, writes letters of recommendation of children to the asylum in Natchez, tells the people to do certain things until he is restored that he will take charge in a few weeks. All their clergy are well in this part of the diocese. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.