Boglioli, C.M., Father Charles, Donaldsonville, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1858 March 16

Not 24 hours ago Boglioli received the marriage vows of two persons who have been living together for 10 or 12 years and whom everyone thought legitimately married. However, they had only been to the justice of the peace. It dates from the revolt of the negroes on the island of Martinique. They were forced to leave at the moment they wished to marry. Boglioli received their vows at home. He based this step on the fear of scandal should their status be known. He had the impression that their vows had been given at a sufficient distance from the church to make them valid but he was mistaken; they went to a judge in New Orleans and Boglioli did not know this until the very moment of their vows. Now he fears that he has incurred the canonical penalty of the decree of the last synod. Blanc is to reassure him and to absolve him if he is guilty. :: VI-1-n A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.