Lefranc, Father J.M., Havana, Cuba, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1858 February 1

Their trip lasted 3 days and 3 nights. Not being able to keep Lefranc in their house, the Jesuit Superior found lodging for him with an old priest who speaks English and Spanish and who lately came from Trinidad. They went to Dr. Jules le Riverend whom Blanc had designated. He has a great reputation and is one of the foremost professors in the college of medecine. He made Lefranc make his general confession, acting as he said, as they do in Confession with scrupulous persons. This over, the doctor said that he did not like to take sick people who came there to die, that the climate of Havana was not for Lefranc, that he would die in the baths if he took them. He promised to come to see Lefranc every day for a week. Lefranc waited three days; he did not come. Lefranc applied to le Riverend's nephew, also a doctor, who said that if he took Lefranc he would never be reconciled with his uncle. He promised to send Lefranc a very good French doctor. This new doctor said that he feared that the climate would not be good for Lefranc; he reduced his illness to three things; weakness of his organs, dropsy, and a spinal complaint. He did not seem concerned about Lefranc's eyes or ears. The priest with whom Lefranc lives is 57, born near Pau. After his ordination he spent some time in the country and in Paris, lives 5 years in London and came to Trinidad as secretary to Bishop Smith and his successor for 14 years. He is uncertain whether he will stay here or go to Chile. They have a room 7 by 25 feet; four windows with bars like a prison. They pay 1 ½ piastres a day. Spanish cooking does not agree with Lefranc too well. This is the life of Blanc's two servants. P.S. If Blanc replies, he is to address Lefranc at Belen College. :: VI-1-n A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.