Raymond, Father Gilbert, New Orleans, Louisiana, to Bishop Francis Xavier Leray, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1880 November 12

He encloses two letters. The first is in regard to Mr. Laroche, seminarian from Clermont, who asked to be received into the diocese. Raymond wrote to his bishop and encloses the reply. The second was received yesterday. During Leray's absence, Father Sommiére from Chartreuse asked Raymond's assistance. Raymond wrote to the abbè and received his reply yesterday. These two documents are new proof for suspecting priests who do not have any papers. Raymond also wishes to make a few remarks in regard to something Father Marchant told him the other day. He assures Leray that he has nothing against Father Joseph Subileau whom he esteems very much. He has never consciously performed a baptism which belonged to Subileau. For grave reasons, on two occasions he married parishioners of Subileau, but he sent him $5 for the one and $10 for the other. When Subileau's parish was divided in order to give boundaries to Father Antoine Borias, he may have given an opinion, but it did not proceed from a spirit of hostility toward Subileau. Also, on the basis of what Father Hyacinthe LeCozic told him, he must explain about Father Poussielgue's claim. According to Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché 's arrangements, the diocesan treasury received the collections, the cathedraticum, the fees for dispensations, and the receipts of the church, all of which were employed indistinctly for the expenses and debts of the diocese. As the money from the pews was paid in January and February it was immediately paid out for the diocesan expenses, and, later, the expenses of the church were paid from other diocese receipts. This system was continued by Father Joseph Marie Millet and Father E. Reynes and is still in effect. Raymond at the start of the year used the church receipt for house expenses. Now they are exhausted and he must pay Father Theophile Blancgarin and the rest with what he receives from either the office or the diocesan treasury. This system will end as soon as Leray makes other arrangements. He has just received notice that he has to name an assessor for the property and that it is to be sold by the sheriff on the 20th, but he can se Leary in order to discuss this matter. A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo. Enclosure: