Legendre, Emmanuel, Vrély, France, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1854 February 20

A letter has just arrived from Temple Monastery in Paris, which Legendre's sister-in-law has just shown him. This letter tells of the death of his son, Father Edward Emmanuel Legendre, serving in Blanc's diocese in the parish of St. Jean Baptiste where he died of the epidemic after 5 days' sickness. Emmanuel confesses frankly that he is preoccupied about why this letter was addressed to his sister-in-law and not to him. How could they know this aunt instead of his name which would be on his birth certificate, etc. It makes him wonder whether he is dead or not. He does not know the month or day of his death. A death certificate would be needed at once because of Emmanuel's little estate. After all of Blanc's goodness for the son, can he refuse to give the father an exact account of the life or death of this child? P.S. His address is Emmanuel Legendre, former teacher at Vrely. If there is any cash, it could probably be sent as an order in the mail. Blanc could have a sale of the furniture, keeping his linens and clothing to be returned to Emmanuel. :: VI-1-g A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.