Lavay, S.J., Father Joseph, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1856 May 16

Yesterday, Lavay saw Miss Mathilde Victor . As the Ladies of the Sacred Heart had not yet written to her, Lavay said nothing of their intention in regard to the sale of the house. Victor is very sensitive of Blanc's interest in her establishment and seems determined to keep his favor. She wants to keep the house she occupies as she would not know where to find one as suitable. So if Blanc can buy it, it would be a great favor for the whole parish. Victor says she was disposed to pay the rent which Blanc deemed proper. Lavay thinks she could give at least $300 to $400. He would not be surprised if she still had debts of several hundred piastres. He thinks the repairs and furnishings and the $240 interest she pays the Ladies amount to $800 or $900. Lavay thinks the prospects of the school are very favorable. Everyone is surprised that it has succeeded so well already. Although Victor did not arrive at the beginning of the school year, she now has 29 pupils, of whom only 7 are boarders. Victor is generally esteemed; her pupils love her like a mother. In regard to piety, Lavay believes the school would rank with a convent. He does not think the house is worth more than 7000 piastres. It is beginning to be old and he does not estimate that Ladies have made more than $500 of repairs; he does not see how they can value them at 3000 piastres. Mr. Gusman does not estimate them at more. The Ladies had always told Gusman when he was their agent that they would not ask anything else since the house had been given them on condition that they remain there. Lavay does not think that Blanc should bother to visit any of his stations this year; there are only 3 or 4 persons to confirm in each one. He has not yet seen Father peter Lucas but counts on seeing him next Monday or Tuesday. :: VI-1-j A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.