Foltier, Father Stephen Jules, Vermillionville, Louisiana, to Father Stephen Rousselon, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1857 May 18

Foltier received Rousselon's letter of May 12 which indirectly explains Sister St. Paul Ancoin, O. Carm .'s prolonged stay at New Orleans. By now Rousselon will have received the 1000 piastres allocated by law to the convent, have paid the most pressing debts and bought the things they talked of for the study of cosmography. About the estate and the silence about Rousselon's resignation, Foltier asked the clerk of court if he had not received Rousselon's letter. Eraste Mouton, brother of Honor#233; Mouton , and nephew of Alexander Mouton has resigned his place. It is now occupied by C.E. Sostin who replied that it had never been made known to him. In fact Eraste had received this paper and had done nothing about it with the idea of obliging Rousselon to choose someone at Vermillionville. Daniel O'Bryan O'Brien was ready in February; he had seen the judge at Opelousas and several people who could serve as surety. Rousselon delayed his resignation so much and then was so secretive that Foltier and O'Brien did not know until long afterward. If they had known they would have forced Eraste to make a reply long before court. The affair was not mentioned officially to the judge. But privately O'Brien had talked to the judge who had said that Rousselon must remain the administrator. Some lawyers from here claim that he can resign but that he must come to court, render his accounts and then if the resignation is accepted, the judge could name another administrator. Some say a meeting of the creditors could be called to replace Rousselon. Probably Rousselon will be obliged to attend the October court. There is a Frenchman here who is working to become a lawyer who knows all Father Anthony Desiré Mégret 's difficulties and he could find securities like Mr. Revillon, the merchant; he hopes to receive his diploma at the Superior Court in September, his name is Etienne Lauer . He has gone on many a spree in his life but now behaves perfectly. This is the man to whom Rousselon could confide all the documents. As for é rard, the pontiff of the Freemasons, and his disciples the Moutons, Foltier would not give them a red cent, although he gets along well with them. Another question is the outburst of Victor Boete against the Bishop and the owners of the lands. Foltier thinks if it is brought to court a new survey will be ordered and if Abbeville is not on Mégret's land the consequences could be disagreeable. There is also the Briaux ? estate. Foltier is going to St. Martin this week to see Judge Albert Voorhies to ask him to put the Mégret estate affair in another court. If the judge sees the reasons they can be ready for October at Lafayette or December at Abbeville. If this does not suit Rousselon he must have a lawyer for the first Monday of next month at Abbeville. Father Poyet could give him information. Rousselon must write to Voorhies or Mr. Kearney, clerk of the district, to inform him of the reasons for the transfer to another court. :: VI-1-l A.L.S. French 7pp. 4to. 15