Grignon, Father Mathurin F., Natchez, Mississippi, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 June 22

Blanc's last letter on the 16th embarrassed Grignon greatly on the subject of the things for the house. He was about to write about the curtains for the bishop's room, the dining room and the mosquito netting for the bed, etc. Everything is at the Misses Marcilly 's but after Blanc's last letter Grignon sees it would be indelicate to ask any information from these ladies. Grignon has not yet had a visit from Father John Andrew Fierabras. Father Julian Guillou has just written; he recently had a bad accident while returning from Jackson. His horse ran away, breaking the buggy, the harness, and Guillou's leg. He is better and hopes to be able to walk soon. Father James Burlando, C.M. Bellando, Superior General of the Sisters of Charity has been here since Sunday. Father J. Fahy continues to be well. Grignon has only partly carried out his commission in regard to Captain John B. Nevitt. They have not time just now. There will be an anniversary service for Bishop John Joseph Chanche on July 22. Could Blanc not be there? Grignon does not think he can keep the First Communicants waiting any longer. Vacation will begin in July; this would be a good time to have them make a good preparatory retreat. If Blanc could get a time, it would make an effective impression. Grignon knows nothing of the letter sent to Blanc; he thinks it is a secret at Natchez. He is more and more convinced of the good result of this affair among the Catholics and even Protestants. There has been dissatisfaction but not as much as Grignon would have thought. A number of Irish have already told him that the bad behavior on that occasion was not espoused by them or theirs. Yesterday a man came to rent a pew, accompanied by two others. Their aim was to get Grignon's opinion of the malcontents. Grignon told them that he had too high an opinion of the respect the Irish had for all the things of the Church to have the least suspicion of anyone. P.S. June 23. This morning at one o'clock Grignon was called to give Extreme Unction to one of the Misses Marcilly. It was the one who is deaf and mute Jane or Zulma Marcilly ; she has had many attacks this summer. The last seemed dangerous. This morning a note against Chanche was presented for a subscription to the Catholic Herald, 22 piastres for 7 years. Grignon did not accept it. One like it came in the last issue in April. Mr. Elward advised him to write for proof that Chanche had ordered it and to address it to the Bishop of New Orleans as administrator. Grignon encloses this bill; it differs from the last one by 2 piastres. The bill dated April 9, 1853 is for $24, for 8 years from December 1, 1844 to December 1, 1852. :: VI-1-f A.L.S. and Bill French 5pp. 4to. 12