Mènard, Father Charles M., Thibodaux, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1856 November 23

Yesterday Mènard received Blanc's letter announcing the coming of Father Pinot Rene Pineau ? to aid in serving Bayou Boeuf left vacant by the departure of Father Claude Paschal Maistre . Mènard plans to serve this mission at least two Sundays a month and to establish several other stations to give his confrere work. Mènard's parish is much restricted since the establishment of St. Philomena's parish. The stations he proposes are Bayou Chigby Chackbay 9 miles from the presbytery and Chickahoula Chacahoula between Thibodaux and Bayou Boeuf. Mènard informs Blanc about the church and presbytery at Houma . Expenditures totaled $2590.68; receipts amounted to $1618.20; leaving a deficit of $972.68. The subscription of 1853 amounted to about $1800 of which about half was collected by Menard. The rest, unpaid, about $850, he placed in the hands of Father Francis Tasset who set about repaying Mènard and paying what remained of the debts. Since May 14, 1854 when Mènard rented the pews for Tasset for $1400 he has received only about $600; Mènard has even had to take a loan to pay the debts. He owes about $3500. He asks Blanc to give a definite solution to this problem. Mènard has the book of receipts and expenditures all in perfect order. :: VI-1-k A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.