Foltier, Father Stephen Jules, Lafayette, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1856 November 25

Foltier received Blanc's letter of he 19th about Abbeville and the collection to be made. Foltier sees that it is impossible to leave because of the works he has undertaken. He has borrowed 1500 piastres for the church at Lafayette. He still owes 500 piastres for the church and presbytery at Abbeville. His revenues are smaller here than at Abbeville. He sees that this church is a sinkhole that swallows up twice the revenues of the one here. Foltier built a church in the north; he built a church at Abbeville; he had to economize for several years in order to be able to leave. If Father Jean Arthur Poyet, who is young, only knew how to make some sacrifices. Poyet says that he has the money but does not intend to spend for Abbeville what belongs to him. Poyet says he has a not for 1000 piastres signed by Bishop Michael Portier Poyet received 650 piastres from Blanc; the subscription amounted to 600; in all there was 1450 piastres. Why doesn't Poyet use the 1000 piastres and make it 2450? Foltier thinks it is possible to collect 3000 piastres. Foltier believes that it is better to turn all his attention to his own church. Two parishes would be too much; his own would suffer if he left it just now. :: VI-1-k A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.