Chambost, Father Charles, Plaquemine, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1854 March 13

Chambost finds in Blanc's letter, the same sincerity and interest which he always finds in communications from the Sulpicians. He is beginning to feel that he will love Blanc as much and more than them. It is so rare to find Superiors who wish to warn people of their faults, as a friend! Chambost has in his memorandum, the names of the contracting parties with the disparity of cult. The names are Charles Robertson, not baptized, and Laura Kleinpeter, Catholic. He has never performed a mixed marriage in the church and these two marriages in homes were without ceremonies. As for Mr. Baubé, Chambost said that he did excellently in philosophy, not in the theology, but if Chambost had had Blanc's advice beforehand, and hereafter in similar cases, Chambost will be much more circumspect. The seal he affixed to his certificate is the one Blanc approved for their church last year. He also put the title of president on this certificate which he saw Blanc had given him in the Catholic Almanac. He will not use it except for official papers for foreign parts. They now have 25 boarders including the orphans. Chambost has made a new dormitory over the store room, 25 by 15 feet. There he has placed the orphans who number 4; three of the smallest and the best pupils, with Mr. O'Reilly to supervise them. Now there remain in the large dormitory only 18 pupils under the safekeeping of three professors. The number of day scholars is 75; they have not received a single one. The number refused in 110 and every day there are new requests. Since the beginning he has made every effort to send them to the Jesuits at Baton Rouge; they received 6 or 7 and the rest went to the Protestant colleges of Yale, Cambridge, Jackson, etc. A certain number remain with their families doing nothing. The number of professors is 6: 1. O'Reilly for beginning English; his salary is 150 piastres; 2. Mr. Grace for specialty in English. As he is taking a course here in French and Latin, he receives only his keep; 3. Mr. Voignier, a graduate of the French University, sent by Father Napoleon Joseph Perché ; his salary is 200 piastres a year; 4. Mr. Chataigné who was at Cap Girardeau; his salary from February 20 to the end of the year is 75 piastres; 5. Chambost's brother Auguste Chambost professor of Latin and assistant, his salary is a thank-you as is Chambost's. August is satisfied; it is all he desires. 6. Chambost teaches 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours, 2 classes in translation of French into English and English into French. They have 5 rooms for use of the school College of the Immaculate Conception ; the two large rooms, each 25 by 22 and three others including the parlor for classes. The parish is going well enough; there are almost always Communions every day and the number of persons who return grows larger. They have perfect peace since the Protestants know that they tell? the truth. They would like all their "children under Father Chambost, he is a good man after all." They have only about 15. Chambost would like to have a professor for higher mathematics although he can do without that. He hopes to be ready for Confirmation some days after Easter. He does not know what to say about his brother; he asks when he will present him to his superiors. He is preparing for his ordination; they could not go to the city before Easter. P.S. Respects to Father Rousselon. :: VI-1-g A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to. 13