Francais, Father Nicholas, Charenton, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1856 August 16

The disturbances of Dernière Ile have no doubt come to Blanc's attention. The loss of Adrien Frère, his wife and little boy, and two little negroes is confirmed as well as the loss of Gabriel Gravemberg who leaves a wife and six children. His brother Louis Gravemberg was saved. He saw his brother and Gasparre Ratier perish without being able to help them. Laclaire Fuselier and others left on the 15th to search for the bodies. St. Mary's parish has lost more than a million dollars. A great number of houses at Cypremort were overturned. At Charenton, all the fences were down, many animals perished. Francais thought for a moment his church and house were overturned when a big oak fell. He will lose nearly 150 piastres in making repairs. Mr. Meynard suffered little loss. Communication was interrupted as all the bridges were out. Francais will not have a single confirmant this year. But that is not to keep Blanc from visiting Charenton. :: VI-1-k A.L.S. French 2pp. folio 10