Beaugier, Father, Opelousas, Louisiana, to Father Napoleon Joseph Perché, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1854 June 19

Beaugier knows that Perché is genuine when he interests himself in someone and is quite certain that Perché wants to know what has become of Beaugier. Rousselon charged Beaugier to tell him what is going on here; Beaugier promised, but on deliberation, he believed it a duty to keep silent in order not to be mistaken by a superior for a spy on a confrere. There are some things so sad that it is better to throw a veil over them. Beaugier will content himself with speaking only in general; the details are too dirty. Raviol does not have a friend; he receives only necessary visits. His avarice and his deals incur universal blame. But what makes him most despised is that he has for a cook, a negress who has 10 or 12 little negro children and everyone knows that she is not married. People talk to Beaugier about it and he does not know how to defend it. He and Raviol pass for great friends and Beaugier suffers. Raviol has sent his resignation to the Archbishop asking for a replacement on the pretext of bad health. Aside from some attacks of gout which do not recur even once a year, Raviol is very well. Beaugier is certain that the reason for his resignation is the working of his plantation which he wished to conduct on a large scale. Now that Beaugier is here as Raviol's servant and Raviol can go each week to visit his negroes, he is far from talking of leaving Opelousas. He has a good canonry. Beaugier takes care of the parish and Raviol has the revenues. Since Beaugier has been with him, Raviol has given him only 4 piastres. Raviol has not bought Beaugier a horse; he has not loaned him one on one pretext or another. Beaugier does not lose sight of the fact that he deserves it somewhat; this helps him endure it and will help him to wait for Perché's letter to comfort him a bit. A.L.S. :: VI-1-g A.L.S. French 5pp. 4to.