Gouesse, C.S.C., Father Francis, Detroit, Michigan, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1855 December 19

Gouesse joins his new year's wishes to those of Blanc's clergy, in spirit with his confreres of New Orleans laboring under Blanc. For a year he has put Blanc's intention in the canon at least 150 times. Gouesse is ashamed to have given Blanc embarrassment by saying a word at St. Mary's Catholic Boys' Asylum about his affairs. But Blanc understands that after 8 months of waiting for a yes or no, Gouesse could not do otherwise. He is still obliged to wait, and coming through Notre Dame du Lac, when will it arrive? His exeat, which is there and which is no use to them, has never been able to be extracted. His chalice, his music books, lives of the saints, etc. are all that he asked for for 8 months. At Blanc's advice he has thanked the Bishop of Kingston, promising him a visit next spring. Father J.H. De Bolles will leave tomorrow for New Orleans. They say he is nervous; Gouesse does not see what he has to fear at New Orleans. Gouesse thinks he will give marvelous service in Blanc's hospital. But he is not to let the yellow fever take him next summer. Gouesse could not be more glad to hear what Blanc says about the orphans among whom the Congregation of Holy Cross never wished to leave Gouesse in peace. He does not think it possible to make a man suffer more. If it were not for Blanc and the asylum he would not have worked at it for two years. :: VI-1-i A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.