Beccard, Father Améé, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, to Bishop Francis Xavier Leray, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1882 February 18

Beccard hopes to be able to resume his ministry after Easter. A sister whom he has at Lyons has had many prayers said for him. Towards the beginning of May, Beccard will ask a committee of three confreres to consider his affairs with the pastor of Biloxi. The injustices of Father Peter Chevalier demand redress, even restitution. For 22 years Beccard has borne a terrible evil. His misfortunes led him to Biloxi to Chevalier but his true place was at the home of Father Henry Leduc . Leduc's trip to Brittany in the summer of 1879 led Beccard to Biloxi whence he escaped as from a prison last December 19. Leray studied at the seminary of Rennes. Imagine if the Superior had told him that he was only there as a beggar without a sou so he would have to perform the heavy work of the house. Imagine if he had had only 2 meals. That is only a shadow of Chevalier's arrogance. Beccard's services at the church consisted of serving Mass, opening and closing the doors, ringing the bells. For requiem High Masses, Chevalier gave him a little glass of whiskey. Outside the church, Beccard went to the postoffice 3 or 4 times a day, to the grocery for the "boss" and the servant made Beccard a second servant to bring in water, repair fences, etc. Beccard submitted, thinking the time would come when before Leray or Archbishop Perché the would be guaranteed remuneration. Beccard asks if he does not have the right to demand from Chevalier at least 10 piastres a month which would make $310 for 31 months and an apology. Beccard asks that all settlement with Chevalier be postponed until May 1 and that then a committee will decide how much Chevalier owes Beccard. P.S. With Leduc Beccard has been treated as he should be. Beccard would be delighted to hear Leray shares his opinion. :: VI-3-d A.L.S. French 4pp. folio