Lafayette French Parish, Lafayette, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1858 December 17

They have just learned that their families no longer have a place in the German church although each has furnished his share. They had been assigned to the 8 o'clock Mass and they were satisfied for a long time. But it is a long way and they often arrived late and tried to remain for the ten o'clock Mass for the Germans but were prevented by the ill will of the latter. But now it is no longer that; they do not want the Redemptorists to direct them. They beg Blanc to send them a priest of their own kind for their French church, Notre Daem de Bon Secours. They are certain they will have to wait but they are willing to do so if they can have one of their own rather than the Redemptorists who show all too well the nationality of their order. Their principal reason is that their children have need of following their religious duties. First Communion has been put off to 1860. Their church is almost finished. There are two large rooms and once installed their priest will never have to complain that they let him starve, as the Redemptorists say. The Father Superior has borrowed 5000 piastres to pay all the debts and finish the church. But if they are left 3 or 4 months without a priest, the interest will accumulate and the debt grow. Blanc is to let them know his decision through the Redemptorist Superior to whom they have sent a letter asking him to give over his place. They believe it would not be easy, for him to procure a French priest as their order is all German. P.S. They ask for a priest with experience. VI-1-o - L.S. - French - 4pp. - 4to. - {3}