Follot, Father Francis C , Plaquemine, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1859 January 5

Everything is fine at Plaquemine. He has visited most of the parishioners, though many have come to see him at home, such as Mr. Labauve, Mr. Schlatre, Sr., Mr. Hebert . Labauve is a man of good will; Hebert seems well-disposed and Schlatre is a saint. Follot said Mass at Schlatre's little chapel, which is more complete than their future church. The contractor says the roads are too bad to transport the brick, and the walls are done to the level of the windows. The Jubilee went very well. He thinks the Plaquemine parishioners are more pious than those at Opelousas . The Sisters Marianites of Holy Cross? were afraid they would get one of the Fathers Raymond , for reasons Blanc knows. The ladies of Plaquemine held a fair for the convent realizing 10 to 1200 piastres. Schlatre, Jr., Hebert, and Trinidad propose to buy Dr. Scratchley's house for the convent, which would cost about 10,000. Mr. Michel asked in return a Mass per week in perpetuity to be said by the Congregation of Holy Cross . Father Patrick Shiel, C.S.C. gave his consent. If the exterior of the church is completed by May Follot plans to hold a fair to raise money for its ornamentation. Follot saw Fathers Ennemond Dupuy and Peter Lucas. His second night at Plaquemine Follot was called to see a sick man at Bayou Goula . Dupuy had been there once and did not wish to return. Follot gave the man Extreme Unction and he died two days later. Follot was asked to have the funeral and used the chapel after being persuaded that Dupuy had gone to New Orleans. This angered Dupuy greatly and he complained to Father Stephen Rousselon. Dupuy said the man was a Free Mason. Follot thinks he has straightened out the difficulty with Mr. Desobry. Is the cemetery blessed? Follot sends $20 by Mother du Calvaire for the Association of the Propagation of the Faith, collected during the Jubilee, and $11 for the seminary. He will make regular visits to Grosse-Tete when the roads are better. :: VI-2-a A.L.S. French 4pp. 8vo. 19