Beccard, Father Améé, New Orleans, Louisiana, to Archbishop John, Mary Odin, C.M, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1866 April 25

Beccard is deeply obligated to Father Stephen Rousselon who has helped him and given him Mass intentions. Out of regard for his age, Beccard has done everything Rousselon has asked of him, sung Mass and Vespers since 1860, visited the sick, even going for the mail up to three times a day. He asks Odin to approve his accepting offers from several priests in the city for Sunday morning. This would give him a small fee such as Father Jeremiah Moynihan Moynayan of Dryades Street gave him in 1863, $3 a Sunday. If Beccard needs 10 sous or a pair of shoes it is not Father Desgaultiers who gives it to him. Several priests in the country have told him that he behaved very badly in Lafourche. The two or three priests who succeeded him found no trace of these wrong-doings. He was never tarred and feathered. In the terrible assault of August 25, 1860, he was covered with blood and mud. It is either calumny or slander coming back from there after almost six years. Beccard was ordained for this diocese and he does not suppose he can be refused his dinner and a bed for having the High Mass. If he had 10 piastres a month he would be satisfied. He knows that leaving here would be an irreparable fault and so he will not leave at any price. If Odin wishes him to continue his services on Sunday morning, he will do so in spite of lack of money. :: VI-2-k A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.