Buteux, Father Stanislaus, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1855 December 6

Buteux only yesterday received Blanc's letter from Natchez. He will gladly take the three Masses for Bishop James Oliver Vande Velde. Mr. Layton said one time this summer that Blanc saw with sadness that Buteux did not come to see him when he went to the city. His principal reason for not going to see Blanc has been fear of troubling him. His presence seemed so disagreeable when he did present himself, not even being offered a seat, that he believed it his duty to spare Blanc this brother. Buteux is innocent of the grave charges made against him. He reduces himself to poverty to endow his parish with schools. When in the city, he visits some families whom Blanc knows. He thanks Blanc for continuing the special faculties his bishop had given him. He can dispense in cases of mixed religion if urgent and when the Bishop is not available. His faculties for dispensing first cousins expired on October 30. He would be grateful if it were renewed. People come from 25, 30 or 40 miles and want to be married that same day. If refused, they go to the judge. :: VI-1-i A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.