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Scope and Contents Chambost has already written twice about having a plan for his church from T.E. Giraud and has had no reply. The people and their friends, the Protestants, are giving up hope. The church should be 60 by 40 feet; how many bricks for all? There should be about 40 pews. Father Perché has not replied, neither has he heard from Father Parody. The Bishop says Chambost must write to Dr. Wederstrandt to establish a mission at St. Francisville . He will do so although he has been so harshly treated...

Scope and Contents Chambost writes but gets no answer. In his last two letters he wrote that he had not received his wine and that the Princess had not been to Bayou Sara since the three boxes were sent. Rousselon is to get a certificate from the captain saying that he delivered the wine at McCombs and Claus' . Chambost is still without a church or land on which to build. One cannot do what one wishes with these Yankees. His health is not good. He has yet Mass in town. He is about to buy a suitable piece of...

Scope and Contents When he wrote last time, he was bitter, his Catholics seemed indifferent and enemies of religion asked if he still and hope of building his church. His health was very bad. But things have changed. An old Protestant body who had spent her life doing good and is known as the grandmother of the town, came to hear Chambost and asked to be baptized. She asked him to accept immediately 14 lots, and her house, garden and furniture after her death. His Catholics and even the Protestants flocked to...

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Rousselon is to give Mr. Larate the 150 piastres of subscriptions and the plan of the church which Chambost needs as soon as possible. Larate will return immediately to Jackson to help Chambost and set up a little dye and dry cleaning shop. :: V-5-n A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents He learns with pleasure that Father Michael O'Reilly's health is restored. At Jackson, Mr. Crenan has 300 piastres, deposited by Chambost. Madame Gleasson has 500 piastres, some collected by Chambost, some by her, and a third part by subscription. The brickmaker gave Chambost a final receipt left with Crenan. If he said anything it would have been about the insults made to him by the famous Father A. Doyle . Chambost's horse is ruined; his buggy is broken; he still owes Father Perché the 130...

Scope and Contents Chambost sees with pleasure that O'Reilly's health is improved since his return. Chambost is not able to do anything in regard to the building of the church in Jackson . Lankton, the railroad contractor, is dead, leaving some thousand dollars of debts and five candidates for the orphan asylums. The money Chambost had deposited on the court was in the hands of the priest of Plaquemine, nearly $400. Chambost had left that claim into the hands of Archbishop Anthony Blanc ; the Archbishop...

Scope and Contents They leave next Saturday on the Washington City for Liverpool. They are paying $249 for themselves and two orphan boys as far as Havre. They were 12 days on a boat from Plaquemine to Cincinnati and then since his five young people wished to buy some land for a vineyard, Chambost had to stay some days in Cincinnati. All the members of his house have found places. They visited Niagara Falls. They visited the ecclesiastical authorities wherever they went. Chambost is perfectly composed; he has...

Scope and Contents Chambost's younger brother August Chambost , who was to arrive two months from now, with Father Victor Blanc ?, Blanc's nephew and two priests? whom Father Duplay had promised, arrived alone a week ago. He came by way of New York and St. Louis. His brother is two years older! than Chambost; he has a gentle disposition. He has already replaced Mr. Sibileau for his classes. He has finished his philosophy and will be ordained without family fussing. Since he left in a hurry on learning the...

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A young man has just arrived from the north with his future wife, presented by respectable relatives and assuring Chambost that there is no impediment to their marriage. They want to leave in two days; will Rousselon give a dispensation from the banns? All is going well here; Chambost was very tired but is much better. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents Although he had made all his preparation to go down next Monday for the retreat, he must bother Rousselon about the Know-Nothings who have begun their routine here. There weeks ago they decided to kill Chambost at the altar. So in order to give them a better view, Chambost sang the High Mass but they did not carry out their plan that day. On All Saints day, they sent a bold young man from Donaldsonville to make maneuvers on horse back in the midst of the procession. Chambost sent him then...

Scope and Contents They are back to their scare of yellow fever; there is more fear than sickness. They have had 20 to 25 deaths with 8 or 10 from yellow fever. Their town has been completely deserted for 2 weeks. Their school began October 1 and while they should have 100 pupils this year, only about 15 are back as yet. Six persons in Chambost's household have been ill. Mr. Baubé is well and continues to conduct himself well. Father Duplay, Superior of the Lyons Seminary, has written to promise help and...

Scope and Contents Chambost's brother August Chambost arrived Sunday morning; he dieregarded all the orders. He should have had an understanding with Father Victor Blanc and Father Duplay, Superior of the seminary, about Victor's leaving. Chambost had also given him several commissions for himself and Father Joseph Michael Paret ; all this was thrust aside. He did not even notify Chambost of his arrival. Imagine Chambost's surprise when he saw this long beard and white hat, like Don Quixote on Rosinante. His...

Scope and Contents As Father Perché has told Chambost that Blanc will be at the College at Grand Coteau on Assumption Day, Chambost writes there. Mr. Hughes, who studied at Assumption Seminary, has been sent to Chambost by Father O'Reilly and Mr. Crenan as a professor. Chambost finds him very capable. He read his theology at the seminary and reviewed it at the Felicianas after which he could be prepared for ordination. His health is excellent. Chambost has not allowed him to resume ecclesiastical dress nor...

Scope and Contents Blanc proposed the post of Baton Rouge. Chambost replied that he would accept it an condition that Blanc ordain Benoit Chambost?, their cousin, and that Chambost remain with him until April. Blanc replied that Benoit should spend 2 or 3 months at Springhill. This is impossible. 1. Chambost would never permit Father Hippolite P. Gache, S.J. whom he taught at Baton Rouge when Chambost was at Jackson, to come today to finish Chambost's work. 2. Benoit has his brother and his sister who is 40....

Scope and Contents Before a priest could stay here, there must be a presbytery, a temporary church and a salary. And where will they get all this. Mr. Desobry asked this this morning. They recognized the difficulties? when Blanc was here; now they are resuming the same insults. Messrs. Labauve and Trinidad are leaving for the other side of the lake to spend part of the summer. Belfon Marionneaux will deal with these men who wanted to make him lose what the college owed him. Messrs. Desobry, Gallagher,...

Scope and Contents Chambost received Blanc's letter two days ago. He asks Blanc to recall that he made no request; Blanc offered Baton Rouge to him. Chambost asked for the ordination of the third priest that he has formed without a mite of expense to the diocese. He would never leave his post without the sanction of his superiors, but does Blanc think that he can leave priests in a post where it is impossible to live without going into debts which they can never repay? If Chambost has merited anything by his...

Scope and Contents Chambost received Blanc's letter of July 5 this morning. But how does Blanc expect him to live here? Suppose that he stays, according to what Blanc told Benoit Chambost?, who will feed and lodge him? This parish has abused God's graces. It may be that after a time it may feel the necessity of treating the priest as he deserves but not at present. Those who have self respect regard a mass meeting as the last resource. The little convent Sisters Marianites of the Holy Cross would do very well...

Scope and Contents Chambost has just received a letter from Father Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C. ; he does not want to do anything about their Brothers of Holy Cross and Sisters of the Holy Cross before receiving a letter from Blanc. Their school for boys will not suffer but they are very disappointed about the school for the girls. They will have about 100 First Communions. He is sending Sorin's letter. Their house is done, Mr. Crennan 's sister has come with 2 slaves to keep house on condition that Chambost keep...

Scope and Contents Chambost has just received Blanc's letter announcing his visit for April 13. It is impossible to prepare the large First Communion class before June. He has been having catechism twice a week for 4 months and confessions twice a month; the children are far from ready. He has a group here who made their First Communion at Iberville whom he is teaching the sign of the cross. The five children who made their First Communion under Father Louis Dufour are learning their catechism and prayers...

Scope and Contents He asks Blanc to send him a helper, if possible; a young priest who would like to learn English would be good here. Among those Chambost knows, Father C. Mangin or Father G.V. Gauthreaux would suit. If he had the first he would teach him English; if he had the second, he would have him review the classes he did so poorly. The people of Bayou Grossetete are about to build their church and Chambost cannot give them part of his time until he has a priest here. The school is going well; they...

Scope and Contents Chambost sends the letter no enclosure of Mr. Baubé to his Archbishop to ask for his exeat. Mr. Sibileau wrote to his bishop the preceding week. He is intimately acquainted with the vicar general of Angers who promised to obtain this document for him. When Chambost asked for Mr. Gautreau Father G. Valcourt Gauthreaux? he did not know he was with Father Rousselon; he is better there. As for certain confreres who calumniate him, Chambost would wish for them less zeal in busying themselves with...

Scope and Contents Chambost has just received Blanc's letter. His brother August Chambost says he should blush with shame at having merited such a reprimand. Although Chambost had promised in his last trip to the city, not to talk of Father Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., he must do so. Chambost wrote to Sorin about the Brothers of Holy Cross and the Sisters of the Holy Cross whom they wish to have; he did it according to the advice Blanc gave him. Sorin wrote that the thing was delayed because of their Father...

Scope and Contents Chambost sends the extract Blanc asked for no enclosure. Since retreat, he has been very busy. His house is being repaired and all his furniture exposed to the rain but soon they will be well housed. He made a trip to Grosse Tete for the sick, baptisms, and a marriage. The people want a chapel; they are keeping the subscription list started by Father Casimir Mouret . Father Louis Dufour has never visited the mission; his longest trip was to Mr. Daigre' s at the entrance to the bayou. It was...

Scope and Contents When leaving the city, Chambost forgot to ask Blanc for authorization to accept, in his name, the land for the church at Bayou-Grosse-Tete . He asks Blanc to send it as he is to go there with the contractor on Tuesday's boat. He wrote to Notre Dame du Lac to Father Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C. the day after his arrival. He hopes Blanc has also written Sorin. Everything is going well here except the workmen are slow in finishing the work and in finishing his house. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 1p....

Scope and Contents Chambost waited to write thinking he could give a true picture of everything but it is impossible at the moment. Two weeks from now he will have appropriated everything, will see how good the church linen is, and the furniture belonging to the pastor, and will send an inventory. He explained to the men of Plaquemine the necessity for a Catholic school. They want to build a collegiate school on Blanc's land and in his name. They made up 2700 at once and count on having 4 to $500 at the end of...

Scope and Contents He offers their prayers for the new year. Today they placed the statue of the Immaculate Conception on the dome of the College of the Immaculate Conception . Chambost received the circular for the retreat and he will be there with all the documents out he asks that Father Auguste Chambost remain here; they cannot both be gone. Father Marie Emmanuel, O,C.S.O. did wonders here. He has more than 1000 piastres in money, sugar and molasses. He collected 350 piastres at West Baton Rouge. He is at...

Scope and Contents Chambost writes amid smoking ashes of the college, the church, and the presbytery. The sacred vessels, pictures, vestments, etc. were all taken out of the church so that the church alone perished. The college with all its furnishings, books and provisions was consumed ty the flames. No one was injured. Most of the articles in the presbytery were saved. They have left only the old kitchen and refectory, the house acquired last year and the outbuildings. Tomorrow the trustees will meet with...

Scope and Contents Chambost received Blanc's letter of the 11th. He has been busy repairing the ruins and he has just found lodging for all their people. The seven orphans are also housed; Chambost has made beds like steamboat berths. He has sent away a professor they can do without and all others are willingly submitting to the hardships inherent in their present condition. He has just about finished setting up the house away from the street opposite those which are left. It was vacant; Chambost rented it. It...

Scope and Contents Chambost received Blanc's letter concerning Father Peter Lucas . Father Auguste Chambost will take it to Lucas on Easter. The Holy Week services were followed with admirable attention; Paschal Communions were more numerous than Chambost had dared hope. Chambost is sending a drawing of the front of the church they are thinking of building. Blanc is to say what he thinks of it. The interior will be 130 by 60, the walls 40 feet. The subscriptions are going well enough for the times; Chambost...

Scope and Contents The administrators met last Thursday and examined the two plans: the first for 120 by 60 and the second for 110 by 56. They asked the contractors to make their estimates for next Sunday. There is a plan for 17 and the other for 13 thousand. There are 10,000 piastres for the church and 4500 for the college. They have decided to buy the block above the church which is separated only by the street. The buildings there would do until they got their breath. The ladies are waiting for Blanc to...