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Scope and Contents Blanc's first proposal made Blin smile more than the second because he is the enemy of all exterior anxiety. Blanc's letter before the last proved that Blanc understood so well. Blanc is stopped by the consideration of a debt much less than the huge expenditures Blin has made almost with his own resources. The fate of the confrere who replaced him would have been preferable to the one in which Blin found himself on arriving here, a fate from which he cannot escape except by a miracle. The...

Scope and Contents In order to learn English, Father J.J. Malavergne has settled at Franklin, where he has a school. He boards with Mrs. Pelletier De la Houssaye and gives religious instructions to her pupils. It is said he will build a church there. Blin saw him once but he told him nothing. What should Blin do; he leaves it to Blanc's discretion. P.S. Blanc is to remind Father Rousselon that he asked to have the holy oils sent to Mr. Meynard who lives near the portage at Charenton. :: V-5-m A.L.S. French...

Scope and Contents Blin has always regretted that Blanc has not settled his affairs with Mr. La Clère Fuseiller about the lands he intended to give to the church in Blanc's last conversation with him. There is so much inconstancy in the people here that one is afraid to put things off. Fuseiller has already taken away half the land of which he had given Blin the use, the part occupied by Mr. Billon . This mall, planted to holly oaks, was raised at Blin's expense, and the fence was mended. Blin will probably...

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This year Blin has had nothing to live on except his small fees, because he is saving the pew rent to pay the 750 piastres due the workmen on the church. What can he do when they take away his fees and in such an insulting way. It would take another kind of virtue than his to bear such rebuffs. He asks Blanc to accept his house which is his own, and his stable, etc. He asks Blanc only to pay his passage to return to France. :: V-5-i A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.

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On his last monthly visit to Patterson, Blin found a fine bell there. He did not consent to install it until he had permission from Blanc to bless it. He has put off the ceremonies to the first Sunday of August. It will be awaited by the Catholics and even the Protestants who seem to like their ceremonies. Lately when Blin wrote to Blanc he received no reply. He is afraid that he dissatisfied Blanc. :: V-5-j A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents On his last visit to Patterson Blin had to perform mixed marriage without publication of banns because the parties did not let him know until after the Mass. He faithfully discharged the commission about the funds for an assistant. Franklin, after proposing room and perhaps board and even money, gave him no response. Paterson, on the contrary, is always full of good will. Despite their poverty, they have promised whatever is left from the pew rent after fencing the land, perhaps 100...

Scope and Contents The painter should turn over the church to them for Easter. The money comes in slowly this year. The pew rent which came to 760 ? has brought in only $100 so far. The painter has already received $500 without help from anyone. Meanwhile the carpenters have their mouths open for their 750 from the pew rent. Blin tried to get a small loan but was refused. If he could get out of this he would not undertake anything without the money in hand. If a priest could make $600 here, it would be all....

Scope and Contents Lucien Verret and Rosalie Verret ask for a dispensation. Blin wrote recently but Blanc's work probably kept him from answering. Things here are going from bad to worse. Their fine church, opened at Easter, was filled that day. The collection was $13 for the seminary. The pews were rented for 598 piastres. He may have to follow Father Rousselon's advice and sell his vestments to fulfill his obligations. He would like at least to keep the house intact. Another priest would do better than Blin...

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He anticipates a little, the time when the chapel at Patterson will be finished, in order not to dampen the fervor of this little congregation. So he asks Blanc to authorize him to open it and bless it with the power of delegating a confrere if he invites one. At least, if Blanc cannot come himself. P.S. The Church of the Immaculate Conception will be ready for Easter but will not be painted by then. :: V-5-i A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents If those rumors were described in a conversation, he could surely contradict them but to speak of them publicly, Blin must wait for a positive order from Blanc. What made him consult Blanc about ministering to those outside his jurisdiction was that Father Julien Priour absolutely refused his consent. The parties not wishing to understand that they could not be married by the priest they wished to have, resolved to go to the judge if Blin refused. So he acted to prevent a greater evil. If...

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The building of the chapel asked for by the Widow Patou could not help but contribute to the glory of God and the salvation of souls since the Catholics in the vicinity do not ordinarily go to any church. He does not know what inconveniences there will be since a third of Blin's very small congregation would attend there. Would he lose part of his resources? All human reasons should fall before the supernatural motive. V-5-l - A.L.S. - French - 2pp. - 4to. - {3}

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Blin asks Rousselon to send him a dozen catechisms and Journées du Chrétien, a small altar stone and missal. The last two can probably be found in the store room of the bishopric as well as a portable cross. The heaviest burden for Blin is the ingratitude of the field where he is working. The transfer has been so abrupt that he notices the difference too much. :: V-5-g A.L.S. French 3pp. 8vo.

Scope and Contents Unforeseen circumstances force Blin to dismiss Rousselon's protégé. During his absence at the retreat someone turned the head of his servant so that he can no longer count on him and the old negress hired out to him is going to be sold. So Blin will be alone and must board out; which completely upsets their plans. The boy, in spite of his good qualities, is not capable of spending time enough alone at his desk. Blin is obliged to be absent quite often. To keep him Blin would have to have him...

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He sends the bottles for the holy oils to be filled. Rousselon is to send them to Mr. Meynard, Indian Bend. He will also need a paschal candle. P.S. Blin does not like housekeeping nor outside cares. :: V-5-m A.L.S. French 3pp. 8no.

Scope and Contents Blin asks Rousselon to fill his Holy Oils bottles and leave them with the porter to be picked up. It seems that his vestments are at the bottom of the sea. His church seems destined to remain poor and the ceremonies without pomp, just punishment of the indifference of the people. A punishment reserved per$180. He is sending the manuscript of the ordo for 1849. Lacking as usual is the commemoration of the Bishop of St. Louis. Is December 8 a feast of the first or second class? He has never...

Scope and Contents Blin received the Holy Oils and Rousselon's encouraging letter. Blin has just received a letter informing him that his vestments which he believed at the bottom of the sea were put on board the Hannibal, Captain Foot, last month. They are addressed to Rousselon. Rousselon knows that his church is finished. The sacrifices he has made authorize him to appeal to the generosity of his parishioners to paint it. One man collected 50 piastres. A fence will have to be built against one to whom half...

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Blin received Rousselon's letter of the 7th and learned of the arrival of his church goods. Rousselon's advice to sell part of them is in accord with his present needs. However he will not sell until circumstances force him to. They are to be sent on the Vesta to Gaillard's landing. He also needs two dozen catechisms. The bell at Patterson rings out in full peal. Conversions among the heretics are impossible without a priest who knows English and French. :: V-5-j A.L.S. French 3pp. 8vo.

Scope and Contents Blin at last has received his merchandise. St. Marc Darby is to give Rousselon 50 piastres to reimburse him. He also owes 3 piastres for the cathedraticum which he will pay as soon as possible. He will be responsible for a number of the Annals if Rousselon knows how to get it to him safely. The Bishop has no doubt told the results of his visit here. Blin has been told of the success of the subscription for the church at Franklin . They gave a ball whose expenses surpassed the receipts. But...

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He sends his holy oil stocks to be filled. They are to be left at Mrs. La Clerc Fuseiller's who will send them. Their church is finished for Easter. The work is good but expensive. Because of the cholera and poor crops he cannot expect much help. He is an obstacle to good because in order to convert and to preach one must know English well. V-5-k - A.L.S. - French & Latin - 4pp. - 12mo. - {2}

Scope and Contents Blin has just learned that some articles sent from his country and addressed to the bishop's house are due soon; he lists them. Also Rousselon is to send him one or two dozen catechisms. Their church is progressing; the presbytery is inhabited and Patterson will soon have a chapel with two arpents of land. He recently asked a man for money for bricks, for he must eat, but he was refused. So he must see the grocer again until Providence furnishes him with a carriage and mule to seek further....

Scope and Contents He hastens to satisfy the requests in Rousselon's letter. The objects in question should have been addressed to the Bishopric with Blin's name and address on the boxes. The letter, dated November 19, informed him that they were sending them without telling him in what way. He does not know whether these ornaments will be accompanied by a bill. He copies exactly what they sent him. The two dozen catechisms which he asked from Rousselon and which he has not received are needed now. :: V-5-i...

Scope and Contents While Blin's church goods were at the bishop's house, Rousselon proposed to sell part of them. Blin should have followed his advice. Although they could use all these things it would be adding this gift to that of the real estate. Rousselon probably has a list but Blin will supply another he lists the items. These goods amount to 6 or 800 piastres. If Rousselon would take them at that price, Blin would not take a loss. Blin would be glad to see all the churches of the diocese in the hands of...

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The collection for Peter's pence on Sunday amounted to only three piastres although he had announced it in advance. Since Confirmation he asked his parishioners to finish the enclosure of the church; the rest had been done at Blin's expense; it is still as it was. He has a big boy at the presbytery to help at the church. He has an old negro servant. Louisiana is a bit exacting. V-5-l - A.L.S. - French - 4pp. - 8vo. - {2}

Scope and Contents Blin sends an inventory of Father Julian Priour 's furniture. Widow Burk asks Blin to ask Blanc to permit her to remain in the house given by LaClaire Fuseiller to Priour. She wants to live there gratis which will hardly suit Segre Darby who looks for money wherever he can find it. Blin has said nothing of the embarrassment they could have about the legal possession of the land on which the presbytery stands and according to Mrs. Goujon Gougeon, that on which stands the house which she...

Scope and Contents Blin received Blanc's latest letter. He will open Mrs. Patoux's church when she was fulfilled all the required formalities. But he cannot serve it on Sunday and that is the only day that suits. Blanc is to decide whether burials can be made there. At L'Anse Blin had faculties to receive into the confraternity of the scapular and the Sacred Heart of Mary; he is continuing without renewing his faculties. He would need special authorization to accept Mrs. Patoux's gift. :: V-5-n A.L.S. French...

Scope and Contents In order to conform to Blanc's wishes, Blin did not go to New Iberia until after Father Nicholas Francais took possession on February 28. This delay was caused by his successor arriving. Blin took possession today; these priests intend to leave Monday, the 3rd, or Tuesday. Francais returns to Abbeville for Sunday and Blin, in place of having Mass at Patterson, will have it at New Iberia. Francais returns immediately. At Opta Darby 's they talked of a petition which almost made Blin withdraw....

Scope and Contents As announced in his last letter, Blin went to his post but was obliged to stay at the hotel while waiting for these gentlemen to turn over the presbytery which they did not seem disposed to do any more than the church, although Blin's rights dated from February 15. A decree? was written up against him; he had a charivari accompanied by horrible threats. Decent people spoke out against such shameful conduct and showed the greatest satisfaction at having him among them. But these priests still...

Scope and Contents By his letter of March 6 or 7, Blanc learned of Blin's arrival. After spending 11 days at the hotel between life and death, under the yoke of these young priests who claimed not to have received an order to leave nor cease their functions, Blin dared to take possession of the room Father H. Thirion vacated, on March 11, to rejoin his friend who left 3 days earlier. In the middle of the night he was saluted by bricks or something else thrown against the wall, and the same on Saturday of...

Scope and Contents The letter Blanc received by Mr. Rathier ? was a reply to the one before the last of Blanc's. The first week of Lent, Blin asked for a Jesuit at least for Holy Week. He got Father Louis Rocoffort who opened the jubilee on Palm Sunday. The instructions were quite well attended but the number of confessions did not come up to their hopes. Two Masses at Fausse Pointe brought many to church and to the confessional, even men and young people. Easter Sunday their church was magnificent, but their...

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Blin asks for a dispensation for Eloi Derouez and éleste Doolay . The marriage will have taken place by the time Blanc receives this request. :: VI-1-a A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.