Beccard, Father Améé, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Bishop Francis Xavier Leray, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1881 December 24

Beccard supposes Leray knows of the two long letters he wrote to Father Hyacinthe Marie Lecozic to be communicated to Archbishop Napoleon Joseph Perché and Father Gustave A. Rouxel and, in turn, to Leray. Now he is going to heed the old saying, "It is better to address God than the saints." Today, it is to Leray that he writes these lines and briefly traces his tribulations with the pastor of Biloxi, Father Peter Chevalier . He left that illustrious priest last Monday, not being able to endure his arrogance and threats any longer. Arriving at Bay St. Louis to stay with Father Henry Leduc, he was like a man who has escaped from prison. He left Chevalier to save the remainder of his health, ruined by the indignities of that wretch. Last Sunday Father Abram S. Ryan, the poet-priest, who comes to see the pastor every day, sent Beccard to the railroad station for some cigars. There is a bar there and Chevalier accused him of drinking. When he protested, Chevalier punched him in the stomach and knocked him to the ground. Beccard had a dollar and a half given to him by Father Francois Raymond, and on Monday morning he told Chevalier he was leaving for Bay St. Louis. He was treated like a beggar boy by Chevalier and his servant during the 31 months and 20 days he was at Biloxi. He protests against any extra payments being made to Chevalier whose judgment has been clouded by cupidity. He would rather be confined in the attic at the archbishop's house than return to Biloxi. In two months or more he will be well, provided that there is no more talk of Biloxi. He asks Leray to say a Mass for him. :: VI-3-c A.L.S. French 7pp. 4to.