Guesdon, C.S.C., Father Isidore, New Orleans, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1855 June 19

Guesdon has just had a visit from the members of the grand jury. They saw the house St. Mary's Boys' Orphan Asylum in detail and appeared entirely satisfied. He had no idea of the visit and almost got caught in an inappropriate time as they had inspected the beds for bugs. But all was somewhat in order. They asked how many children there were and he told them between 280 and 300. They asked about the funds and he told them public charity and almost half the expenses were covered by gifts in perpetuity. Father Francis Gouesse, C.S.C. told Guesdon there were $8000 in fixed funds and that the administration paid very regularly. They asked why so many children had sore eyes. Dr. Flaget Dr. Charles Faget? attributes it largely to poor blood. Most of them arrive ill. They asked whether the sick were well taken care of. The doctor makes a visit every day and if necessary the infirmary is divided into compartments for the dangerously ill, the contagious, and for the ordinary illnesses. One of their classrooms is too crowded but they lack funds to build another at present. Everyone knows the significance of such a visit. :: VI-1-i A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.