Branche, Father Blaise, hataignier, Louisiana, to Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché, Bordeaux, France, 1880 May 18

As Perché knows, Branche is no longer charged with the convent of the Carmelite Sisters . It was hard to accept the post at Chataignier, but his position with his pastor Father Hyacinth Gonellaz was becoming more critical from day to day. When Bishop Francis Xavier Leray spoke of the change, Branche remarked that the convent would never consent to the direction of Gonellaz. At Chataignier he will try to keep in touch with the convent. Mother Hyacinthe, O. Carm . begged him to look after the Sisters and the pupils, and he promised to do so. Perché should return as quickly as possible; all arms will be open to receive him. At Chataignier the work is heavy and the population immense. If the means had existed, he would have asked for an assistant. He baptized the chapel Our Lady of Mount Carmel. As the parishioners of Mamou want a chapel, he intends to construct one under the protection of St. Joseph or St. Isidore after obtaining Perché's approval. On the 27th, for the first time, Chataignier will have a public First Communion. :: VI-3-b A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.