Buteux, Father Stanislaus, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1856 March 30

Buteux was in the city last Monday; he wanted to do all he could to procure the sum which he needs by April 8. He spent two days taking all the steps possible hoping not to have to bother Blanc. Wednesday morning he learned that Blanc had just left for one of the parishes on the coast. On April 8, under pain of losing the property of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Bourg? and a lot of money already put into it, Buteux must pay at least $451 of the $821 due with interest at 8 percent for 9 months. He has collected, literally with his last hundred?, the sum of $196. So he lacks $255. Must they for this sum, sacrifice the property and the future of the school? Must they go without 255 piastres when the diocese has received from him $639 of which 284 are the fruits of his mother's savings and 355 the result of a collection he made in France. With this payment made, he would have nothing to do until October. Then the new Bishop will have arrived. Blanc said he could not honor in July, a note signed by Bishop James Oliver VandeVelde for 4300 piastres. There would be a big difference in paying 255 piastres. Buteux is sure that during the week, he will learn that Blanc has put 255 piastres at the disposition of Thomas Layton who will see that it reaches Buteux. :: VI-1-j A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.