Duffy, Father Patrick, Villanova College, Pennsylvania, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1856 February 11

Blanc will recollect that he received Duffy as a subject in November 1853 and sent him to Yazoo City to take the place of Father Julian M. Guillou, prostrated by yellow fever. Subsequently Blanc gave up his claim to Duffy's services in favor of the late Bishop Vandevelde. Duffy left the diocese of Natchez in February 1855; he did not ask for an exeat as he had determined to retire for some time from the world for a review of his past life. With this view he came here to the Augustinian Fathers. He trusts that the unhappy cause of all his difficulties is now removed forever. He has concluded to enter once more on active duty. He has applied to one of the eastern bishops who is well acquainted with his antecedents and from whom he has not concealed his past weakness and who in consideration of the time lived here and the good character received from the Prior and which Duffy encloses no enclosure, has consented to receive him provided he gets a dimissory letter from Blanc. If he does not receive it Duffy's only alternative is to return to the diocese. The only thing he asks is a simple exeat freeing him from Natchez. :: VI-1-j A.L.S. 2pp. 4to.