Follot, Father Francis C., Plaquemine, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1862 April 21

Before seeing Odin at Plaquemine Follot must inform him about the state of affairs of the church. After the pastoral retreat, he tried, as Odin intended, to find some subscriptions, but in vain. Finally, he took care to call their attention to the debts of the church, telling them that, if they would add a small sum to the price of the pews, the debt would soon be extinguished. Instead of this, they endeavored to take them at a reduction. He stopped the sale and told them there was nothing to do but let the church be seized, closed and sold. If it were not for the work of preparing the children for Confirmation, he would leave today to speak with Odin when he is there, to enlighten these people who believe that it is the archbishop or the priest who should pay for the church. Last year when the pews were sold for the first time, the revenues should have been his, seeing that in the three years he has been there he has received only a slight fee. However, he desired to encourage the others and set an example. He was mistaken. Michael Schlatre, Jr. one of their good Catholics and rich planters, advises that the church be closed. He says, and follow agrees, that it is the only way to get the others to do their duty; they cannot remain very long without a church. B. Marionneaux told him yesterday that the debt is now $7000; last November Marionneaux's lawyer set it at only $6,600. He would like to have Odin remain there for a Sunday in order to have the time to arrange these matters. He will go to Father Victor Clerouin's at West Baton Rouge in order to bring Odin to Plaquemine. ` P.S. He asked Marionneaux to let him use the church until Odin's arrival; he agreed. Enclosed is $15, the Easter collection for the seminary. :: VI-2-f A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.