de St. Palais, Bishop Maurice, Vincennes, Indiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1857 August 7

De St. Palais should have long ago thanked Blanc for the return of the annuity. De St. Palais's position moves him to accept it but Blanc's right to it will always be the same. They say Vincennes is on the point of becoming an important town. Railroads come in from all directions; he hopes it will raise the value of property. De St. Palais has written to Charles Choizelat to send Blanc 600 francs which De St. Palais owes Blanc from last year but finds it impossible to pay. Blanc has no doubt heard of the death of Father Simon F. Lalumière who was killed by a doctor who against De St. Palais's advice, he kept at his house for six weeks. Father Joseph Kundek is dying at the Springs of Martin County; De St. Palais will be very much troubled if he has to replace him at Jasper. The Benedictines at Ferdinand do not have enough subjects to attend this mission. Father Ernest Audran is still a little peculiar but an excellent priest. Father John Contin is still demented and they no longer wish to keep him at St. Louis. It would be a big favor if Blanc could find a place for him in some hospital in France. De St. Palais has succeeded in maintaining the seminary and orphanages by collections in the diocese. If he could only procure 6 or $7000 at 4 or 5 percent, he would be completely out of debt. He is to go to Rome next year and in France he will try to arrange this. Choizelat may write to Blanc that requests are not urgent enough; they reply that they have already done much for his diocese. :: VI-1-l A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.