Ledreux, Father J.M., Bayou Cie, Louisiana, to Bishop Francis Xavier Leray, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1882 August 7

Ledreux came here a year ago. He has had no occasion to write since Leray's visit. They have made little progress in their back woods since Leray's visit. They had their church ceiled last fall; it wants painting to be completed. There is a debt of $125, an increase of $45 over last year's debt. Ledreux pays $10 a month for his board and gets other necessaries with the hope of making ends meet. He has now been sick for a month with malarial fever. Father Aubrée spent a week with Ledreux while he was most sick, then they took him to Many where he was slowly recovering for 2 weeks until he came back here. He wishes he had a house and a servant. The only way to build a house would be to borrow money, $200 or $250. The best way would be for the Catholic farmers to unite and plant a field of cotton which might make 6 or 8 bales. This year they planted about 4 acres which will yield 80 or 90 barrels of corn. Ledreux has proposed to an Indian to pay all expenses for entering U.S. land adjoining the church lot on condition that after getting a lawful title he would donate to the church the 30 acres next the church land. He has agreed to enter the land next fall. Ledreux asks whether Leray approves. They have a public school composed of Catholic children. One is going on now on the other side of San Miguel; the other at the church which the school board has just granted them, will be started in 2 months by the same teacher, Mr. Lynch . They are making arrangements to build the house. :: VI-3-d A.L.S. 4pp. 4to.