Mènard, Father Charles M., Thibodaux, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1857 April 6

Mènard has just received Blanc's letter with the power of attorney for the purchase, gratis, of the land where the church of St. Laurent will be built. The land measures one by 3 arpents, not 2. The church will be 32 by 60 feet; it will be finished by June 1. Mènard encloses no enclosures a marriage certificate and 3 baptismal certificates, asking Blanc to legalize the signature and also have it legalized by the French consul. All is going well here; St. Joseph parish is truly Catholic. The missions of Tchikahoula and Bayou Boeuf have also produced good results. ther Rene Pineau worked in the latter this week. The convent of the Sisters of Mo nt Carmel is going much better since the arrival of two English teachers. There are now 42 boarders and about 35 day scholars. The little institution designated as the College of T ibodaux is equally prosperous. The friends of Mr. Schifferstein, the president, are busy building a little larger college. They talk of $10,000; they already have $5000 on the subscription list. Schifferstein is an excellent Catholic. P.S. Mènard has just written Mr. ébrard for a prompt release through customs of the embroidered canopy which left Lyons on February 22. They count on Blanc to christen it. :: VI-1-l A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.