Claris, Father Justin, Bayou Boeuf, Louisiana, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1859 October 30

Claris has had a visit from Father Gallant? Galent ? who says that he is to be Claris' successor. Claris thinks it important that there be no interval between his retreat and Galent's arrival, and if Galent were prepared to pay him what is due from the pews, Claris would turn the place over to him immediately. The subscription for the construction of the presbytery at Bayou Boeuf is almost completed, and the building should be ready around Christmas time. He took a census of the Catholic population of Bayou Boeuf and the surrounding settlements, and gives the tabulations in this letter. He is going to Chickahoula to take the census and gives an estimate of the numbers there. P.S. Galent was to have taken this letter on his return from the Baye, but he was not on the stage and Mr. Ney said he believed he had left for Texas. Claris will be at the retreat. :: VI-2-b A.L.S. French 2pp. 8vo.