Icard, Joseph, Marseilles, France, to Father Stephen Rousselon, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 July 25

Icard received Rousselon's letter of June 24, telling about the three people in which Icard is very much interested. Rousselon points out in his letter that Mrs. Viges had written to Icard and had not received a reply. Icard for a long time has received no letter to keep him in touch with these three children which has been a cause of anxiety to him. The last news he received was: 1. A letter from his niece Palmire dated December 1, 1850 in reply to one of his of June 15, of the same year. 2. Before this he had a letter dated May 8, 1850 from St. Stanislaus near Florissant which was addressed to him here by Father Lucien Gleizal, S.J. attached to the Missouri Province. Icard replied on July 15 of the same year with a very detailed letter begging Gleizal to continue his good offices to keep him in touch with everything concerning his nieces but since then Icard has had no news. 3. On June 25, 1850, Icard had written to Mr. Dúel almost the same details he had sent Gleizal and at the same time sent him an order for 219? francs? asking him to give the amount either to Mrs. Viges or to Gleizal for the nieces. Icard received no reply from Durel; he asks Rousselon to let him know what became of his remittance. Mrs. Viges has shown the desire to have Icard remain in charge of the deposit in his hands which forms the small possessions of his brother's children. Today, after Rousselon's letter, she seems to want to withdraw the funds either to make better use of them or for the education or needs of these little girls. Icard is ready to concur in anything for the betterment of their lot but Rousselon's letter does not say whether it is the capital or the interest. Icard asks Rousselon to let him know whether his letter to Durel was shown to Mrs. Viges so she could see the amount in Icard's hands. If she has not Icard will send a copy. Nevertheless in order not to leave her too long without resources, Icard authorizes her to draw on him at 30 days for a thousand francs if she intends to withdraw the capital and interest, and for 500 if she wants only the interest. When Icard has Rousselon's reply, he will authorize subsequent orders. Rousselon states in his letter that the oldest of Icard's nieces has been received into one of the good houses in New Orleans where she is doing very well. Icard asks Rousselon to give him the name of this house and to let him know what she does there. If, as it seems, this niece is now in New Orleans, Rousselon is to give her news of him and that he received news of her with great satisfaction. The handwriting in this letter is difficult to read; this calendar may not be entirely accurate. :: VI-1-f A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.