Gutton, Father Philibert, Pointe Coupée, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1865 September 24

Odin must be very tired after his pastoral visitation. A great injustice has been done in his congregation Fausse Rivière?. On the 21st the trustees resigned after having decreed that the money in the treasury goes to the treasurer. They have aroused public indignation and invoked the expired charter. They withdrew without having made any improvements or paid any salary. What led to their downfall was that since he came Gutton has kept a strict account. They also feared that the two churches would be closed. Father Francis Mittelbronn has announced his return during the first part of November. At present everything is under Gutton's direction and he will await Odin's visit to see what his line of conduct should be. He is preparing for Confirmation as has Father Victor Gavard. The acquisition of the land has been made. They could not delay because of the transfer of graves. Some speculators were thinking of buying the same land and making a cemetery themselves. There are already 23 lots changed and Gutton plans to send Odin the second note fully paid. The property has 10 acres of forest, a resource if they build a brick church. :: VI-2-j A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.