Barjac, Mrs. C., New Orleans, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1856 June 20

Wishing to give her resignation to the president of the Ladies of Providence, Barjac believes she should first consult Blanc. She does not need to say how much interest she has in these poor widows and how painful it will probably be to no longer be concerned with them. The best part of her life has been devoted to them and up to now her efforts seemed approved both by the Director and by other Ladies. There are always some complaints on the part of the widows at the Widows' Asylum where one must give preference to those who are infirm or have more needs. She does not say she was always right but she was always ready to correct her mistakes. It was only at the last meeting that she saw a change in sentiment about her administration of the asylum. Since its establishment, it was always one of the widows who prepared the meals for the sick and tended to the material care of the house. $6 a month was allowed for this. Six or seven months ago, Barjac took, with authorization of the members of the Council, Mrs. Toca, very poor, and with five children, to do these things. She was to receive no pay, only lodging and dinner for herself and children of which the older ones were to help her. She had a son past 12, but since he was to remain at school all day and she could soon place him, Barjac thought this no obstacle. No doubt Mrs. Toca has her faults but Barjac never saw that she was wanting in her duties. However at the last meeting it was proposed that she be replaced by a servant at 20 piastres a month. Barjac asked that Mrs. Toca be kept at least as a widow. Response to this seemed divided. Barjac also observed that $20 for a servant seemed too much but they said they could pay it. This woman born in a little village in France, a servant at Clermont and then in Paris, came to America highly recommended to one of the Ladies of the Council in whose house she had stayed up to now. Since she has been at the Asylum, she believes that she should be governed by the orders of this Lady, setting aside the orders and advice of the President. The Lady interested in her came to direct her and to distribute the work among the widows, etc. This made the position of the President untenable and also caused many difficulties in the house. Barjac would have resigned at once but was asked not to do so before Blanc's arrival. She does not want what she has said to be known by Mrs. Lombard or Father Napoleon Joseph Perché . Barjac always has believed that it would be necessary for the development of the asylum that there be Sisters in the house for it s spiritual and material interests under the direction of the Ladies of Providence. Long ago this was proposed to the Sisters of the Holy Cross . Barjac mentioned this to Blanc 2 or 3 weeks ago. Blanc seemed to approve if they could be obtained. These Sisters seem especially fitted for establishments of this kind. :: VI-1-j A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.