Chambost, Father Charles, Plaquemine, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1858 February 7

Chambost writes amid smoking ashes of the college, the church, and the presbytery. The sacred vessels, pictures, vestments, etc. were all taken out of the church so that the church alone perished. The college with all its furnishings, books and provisions was consumed ty the flames. No one was injured. Most of the articles in the presbytery were saved. They have left only the old kitchen and refectory, the house acquired last year and the outbuildings. Tomorrow the trustees will meet with influential people of the parish to discuss what is to be done. They wish to rebuild everything at once. P.S. Blanc is to send Father Napoleon Joseph Perché to them at once; he will be of great help. They would like to think the fire was an accident but it is all too true that it was the work of an arsonist. :: VI-1-n A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.