Gutton, Father Philibert, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1865 April 14

The letter Odin received last week must have dismayed him somewhat because of the situation in the parish of Pointe Coupée. The trustees held their meeting last Monday. With Odin's letter which he showed them they treated him with great respect and agreed to all his requests. One thing which will please them is the granting of an assistant. They assigned $300 for him and set the pastor's salary at $1200. But they have nothing in the treasury. The arguments for and against having an assistant are: 1. The majority of the parish is prevented, by pickets or devastation, to come to the church so the priest must go to them. One priest would have to stay at the presbytery. ~ Document ~ 2. An assistant could help as sacristan. ` 3. Gutton is more centrally located at Fausse Rivière. 1. If they were together at Fausse, Rivière, the presbytery is too small. ~ Document ~ 2. At Pointe Coupée there are not enough to form a congregation. ` 3. Even alone Gutton does not know how he could keep out of debt without the assistance of the widow he told about in his preceding letter. But the people want a priest not a sacristan. ` For repairs to the church they must buy nails, which are contraband, and for which permission can be given only to Odin as they need 6 barrels. At present there is no mortuary chapel because of the bad condition of the church. :: VI-2-i A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.