Boursetty, Jules de, Paris, France, to Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1877 October 18

Perché's letters have filled them with joy. Father Joseph Marie Millet is with his family. He wants Boursetty to accompany him to Rome. They will submit to Cardinal Alexander Franchi a report that will refute all that has been written to him about the finances of the Diocese of New Orleans ; they will speak to him about a plan for the conversion and unification of the debt. Millet asked him to send $1000 to $1200 to Father Gustave A. Rouxel to pay a debt and he has done so. Mr. Marcuard is completely paid. He has seen the religious who were sent to him by Father Faller and he will soon have a release for the debt. Perché can be at rest about the sending of 2500 francs on December, 1 to the pastor of Angers. The interest payments for 1877 are ready. He encloses the list of 100 numbers which are due to be paid. It will be necessary to actually repay 30,000 francs at the end of 1878. He does not see how the diocese can meet that due date. He will propose that the holders of the old bonds exchange them for new ones for which repayment will begin only in 1881. Father Gilbert Raymond wrote asking for 15,000 francs but Boursetty wonders where to get them. Perhaps they will find them at Rome. Mathew Carponcin came yesterday; he does not appear disposed to return to New Orleans, and he has done nothing to procure resources. Their elections went as anticipated. The Republicans will eventually have at least 350 seats. There is an overwhelming majority against Marshal Marie Edme Patrice Maurice de MacMahon who had made the elections a personal affair. Now, as Jacques Victor Albert Broglie and the Duke de Decazes do not wish to return to the Empire, they are turning the Marshal to the left and are working for a new ministry, Jules Armand Stanislas Dufaure and Francois Paul Jules Grévy . The most practical is Eugène Rouher . Work on the palace for the exposition advances superbly. They hope Perché will come at that time. Madame Marie is a little better but not very strong. A.L.S. French 4pp. Enclosure: