Esseiva, S.J., Father John, Grand Coteau, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 November 2

Esseiva asks Blanc to delegate one of them to bless the two chapels under construction and which in spite of their disaster, will soon be opened. The one at Plaquemine has no other ceiling but the roof and no walls except the outer ones. Perhaps because of lack of resources, the ceiling and interior walls could be done only in 2 or 3 years. The Father in charge of the parish of this chapel plans to open it soon. They would like to know if it can be blessed unfinished or must they continue as they have been in the old one which has become too small? Esseiva takes this opportunity to tell Blanc how pained he was to learn the step their Superior Jesuits has just taken so suddenly in regard to this College of St. Charles . The lack of subjects necessitated this extreme measure. It is not Esseiva's place to judge the reasons of Father Anthony J. Jourdant, S.J.. Esseiva would never have believed the news would have caused so much consternation among their students, their parents, and the general population. P.S. Perhaps Esseiva is a bit bold but it seems to him that there is a means of reopening this college a year from now. This is his plan. The German province, to which he belongs, has no mission overseas. Many subjects are still dispersed in different provinces since their expulsion from Switzerland. He proposes to go to Europe and offer this college to the German Provincial. They would not rub elbows with the Lyond Province; the space between the Mississippi and the Pacific is large enough. This plan should not be known before the major Superiors pronounce on it. :: VI-1-f A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.