Comes, Father J. M., Mandeville, Louisiana, to Father Stephen Rousselon, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 August 28

Comes thanks Rousselon for his letter of the 24th. He read the order for prayers today after the gospel. He hopes the terrible mortality will soon diminish. Comes will say Mass for Father G. Valcour Gauthreaux . Comes asks for news of Fathers Anthony Jourdant, S.J. ? Jordein and Aloysius Curioz, S.J. ; he is worried. Must Comes go to New Orleans; does Rousselon need him during September? Priests are dying or are ill; should he come to assist Rousselon? He is ashamed to lead so soft a life when his confreres are martyrs of charity. He asks Rousselon to decide for him. The person who wanted a dispensation did not show up on the boat as he had promised; he was afraid to go to the city during the epidemic. The fiancée consented to be married by the judge; she has the reputation of being one of the best Catholics of Mandeville! Comes has 200 to 250 at Mass on Sundays; Communions 3 or 4. Last week there were 9 in 4 days. 5 were brought to the church; the others buried without saying anything to Comes. Baptisms 9 or 10; marriages none; confessions very few. Father Louis Dufour urges Comes to come to his Jefferson College at St. James. Comes does not think he can leave his other engagements to accept Dufour's offer. Dufour says that St. Michael's Church near the college is without service. If Comes went to the College would there be something to do in the parish? :: VI-1-f A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.