Cauvin, Father D. André, Natchitoches, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1858 April 27

Confidential. When Cauvin told Blanc that lack of work made him offer his services, he used the words to avoid certain disagreeable details. Now he sees an obligation to present all the circumstances. Last Blanc sent Cauvin to Natchitoches where he arrived February 6. After three months, Cauvin resolved to go to another diocese. 1. Here he saw himself condemned to a life of idleness. 2. Bishop Auguste Marie Martin was very changeable and Cauvin recognized that he would not get along with Martin or the vicar general. 3. Seeing almost all of the priests discontented made Cauvin assume a bad administration. Cauvin was named assistant in the parish of Natchitoches and also charged with the 6 Mexican missions of the diocese. He has visited three at times, the others he has visited almost monthly from June 1957 on. He had found these poor people in deplorable ignorance of Christian truths. Whenever a priest came to them it was only to baptize the newborn. One out of 25 were married. In the three missions visited regularly all are now married and come to Confession and Holy Communion. There still remains much to do. Presbyterians, Methodists and other Protestant sects work to convert them. But when a missionary, after doing all he could, sees the coldness of those who should encourage him, Cauvin thinks he should go to another diocese. Here all the priests are French; there is the idea that nothing is good unless it is French. Cauvin knows that Blanc has several Italian priests and that Blanc appreciates them no less than the French. So Cauvin has decided to apply to Blanc. :: VI-1-n A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.