Leroy, James E., Ile du Salut, French Guiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1854 January 5

Leroy no longer has relatives or friends who think of him; Blanc baptized him and he turns to him. Leroy was born in New Orleans December 21, 1820; his father, J.B. Leroy, a native of Bordeaux, his mother, Fanny Gardette, a native of Philadelphia. His first years were happy but in adolescence he left home and became a sailor. His father died, his mother remarried. It was Blanc who married her to a Parisian named A. Duchaufour . His stepfather was strict and this made Leroy leave again the country. He came to France where bad company was his ruin and he was sentenced to 15 years at hard labor. He is No. 846 under the name of Alphonse Duchaufour . He asks Blanc to find out about his mother, her last address was 194 Baronne Street, or his sister, now married, without letting them know that he is in prison. If his mother is dead, Blanc is to tell him that he may pray for her to whom he caused so much sorrow. The chaplain here will receive Blanc's reply at his address. A.L.S. On the same paper: