Harnais, Father Mathurin, Buras, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1866 July 24

Odin told Harnais not to break with the counsellors but to call a meeting and collect. Harnais saw Celestin Bulot who in January set out with T. Rayas to collect and pay the carpenter. Bulot cannot do so at present but will come to get Harnais to go collecting with him in two weeks. Last Wednesday Mr. Viard, the carpenter, asked for money; Harnais told him there was none. Harnais called a meeting; no one came. What should Harnais do, withdraw the papers in the hands of Bulot who up to now has been treasurer, let them pay their carpenter as they wish, cast them aside and get out as best he can? Besides the expenditures for the church, which with his $200 subscription amount to $1200, Harnais has had to buy the materials to build a sacristy which will serve as lodging. As the river goes down, at least $200 will be needed to repair the levee. Harnais is surprised that Odin has so little confidence in his priests and wishes to impose impious governors on them when he so often complains of the trustees at the Cathedral. :: VI-2-l A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.