Gutton, Father Philibert, Waterloo, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1867 March 25

Upon his return to his parish he learned that the petition to the legislature asking for the incorporation of the three churches in one had been presented and that Father Victor Gavard had written to Odin. The member of the legislature representing the parish had been asked to inform Odin. Gutton does not know whether if this petition passes they will recognize only one priest for the parish; this is the aim of Pointe Coupée. If the levees prevent flooding, Gutton has been assured by Mr. Michel that he would loan $4,000 which with materials Gutton has makes $5,000. If Odin consents Gutton will take full responsibility, but it would take a single priest to get the funds together. A temporary chapel could be built in the neighborhood of Morganza . Odin could place there anyone he judges capable. His conditions for this loan would be to pay it off in six years. Gutton itemizes the receipts for July 1, 1866 to December 31; they amount to $484. P.S. At present they are strengthening the levees at Morganza; all leads them to beleive that they will not have the floods of preceding years. :: VI-2-m A.L.S. French 6pp. 12mo.