Larnaudie, S.J., Father Frederick, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1862 April 14

Since Odin's pastoral visit, his parish is nearly the same except for the departure of Father Anthony de Chaignon, S.J. which leaves him alone and very busy. At the beginning of March they had an election of trustees. The board is almost completely new except for the President. Major? Hart was elected, although a Protestant. Larnaudie did not oppose this as his family is Catholic and he is a notable benefactor of the church and an excellent administrator. The subscription, which they began on Odin's advice produced a little less than $1100 and should give about $200 more. He gave long sermons for several Sundays and announced the sale of pews and its conditions in a printed letter which he distributed himself. They believed they could raise the price from $2,700, which had been the maximum, to $4,700. It was a little hard, but they succeeded well enough. Yesterday the greater number were sold for $3,400 and a good number of those which remain will surely be sold. The price will also be raised for following years. They have tried to raise the fixed revenue of the church to more than $5,000 and they have fully succeeded. This will suffice to pay their debts, augment the pastor's salary, and complete the church. He hopes Odin will permit him to intone the Nunc dimittis servum tuum. He will try to see him at West Baton Rouge on April 30. :: VI-2-f A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.