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Scope and Contents In Blanc's letter in reply to Francais' letter from New Iberia, Blanc said that he thought of Francais for New Iberia. In Blanc's last letter he says he had already proposed this post to Father J.E. Blin before receiving Francais' first letter. If the unanimous choice of the people is a manifestation of Providence, it has happened to Francais, at the third municipality, at Iberville, and at New Iberia. Blanc offers him Blin's post; Francais accepts it in order to get away from Father Anthony...

Scope and Contents He is not replying to Blanc's circular, which he is still waiting for, but he wants to excuse his absence from the retreat. He learned from Father Priour that the retreat was to be November 15. Last Saturday he had a visit from Father Anthony Désiré Mégret who said Blanc had told him to give him the news. At present it would be impossible to spend 5 piastres. He has finished his presbytery which took all. A servant costs 6 piastres a month. He must go to Chainieres aux Tigres on the Gulf on...

Scope and Contents He recently received Blanc's letter of April 8. His position is still the same but he has some hope of getting out of it. He has not yet been able to start a subscription for his church because of the election to establish the seat of justice. The election is contested. He will be glad if the seat is not here. On Good Shepherd Sunday, Francais gave First Communion to 14 children. He visited different parts of the parish, including St. Landry ten leagues from Abbeville, a place called Queue...

Scope and Contents Francais came to Abbeville to find out, if he could, the necessary things here before leaving New Iberia. The longer Blanc puts off placing a priest here the more things will deteriorate. He intends to go tomorrow to New Iberia to look after his belongings in order to definitely leave Father Julien Priour by the fourth Sunday of Lent. It is impossible to see Father Anthony Désiré Mégret ; he is so busy preserving the seat of justice in the town he founded. It seems that he has promised more...

Scope and Contents Francais has had no answer to two letters; he believes Blanc has not received them. In his first letter, Francais indicated his position in this wild and immoral country; in the second letter, the arrangements made with the trustees. Francais asks Blanc to give him some sign of life by the bearer of this letter. He wrote to Father Louis Moni Mony to send some Mass intentions for the catechisms which Father Rousselon sent; Blanc is to speak to him about them. :: V-4-k A.L.S. French 3pp....

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Francais was placed in the diocese of Verdun; he has been there since the first of October. If anyone has reported that Francais spoke badly of Blanc's administration, he begs him to regard it as false. He left Louisiana only because the work was too hard for him, all the more so because he was often ill. :: V-5-d A.L.S. French 1p. 8vo.

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Francais took over St. Mary's the first Sunday of Lent. Father J.E. Blin has been at New Iberia; he found the two still there. They were to go to Abbeville on Friday. Francais made a special trip to see them but in vain. The last time they said they could not leave before receiving a definite reply from Blanc about the petitions made by a great number of the people. Francais asks Blanc to pardon them for they do not know what they are doing. :: VI-1-a A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents He asks Blanc to write to the gentlemen at Abbeville to give the money for the pews which they collected, to Valsaint Veazey, Francais' agent. They claim that Francais has received the money for the pews at L'anse and that he is to let them have this from Abbeville. Father J.E. Blin received all the proceeds from his pews and gave Francais nothing. Francais bought all of Blin's furniture for $250; he sold Father Anthony Désiré Mégret his own for $212. Father H. Thirion is waiting for a...

Scope and Contents Last Saturday Francais said Mass at Franklin for the second time in the place they rented for this purpose. After Mass he had a long talk with a man, about 35, who said he was a priest. His papers were excellent; he is from the diocese of Nevers. He arrived in New Orleans last October and called on Blanc. Blanc did not want to even see his papers that it was useless since he had no place to give him. He is under no ecclesiastical censure but a woman followed him from France to Franklin; he...

Scope and Contents Francais went to Abbeville to be reconciled with those men for he realized he was wrong in treating them badly. Father H. Thirion refused to see him or listen to him, shutting the door of the presbytery on him. Francais was so surprised he did not say a word. He gave Valsaint Veazey the accounts to collect; he did not see him as he was in a room with Father Anthony Désiré Mégret. He sent back Emile Veazey with the accounts and a letter from Mégret asking him to watch his conduct at Abbeville...

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Gustave Ambroise Callery and Emilie Clara Sigure wish to marry. They ask for a dispensation. Callery is the son of the late Ambroise Callery and Adelle Sigure . Emelie is the daughter of Edouard Sigure and Gratieuse? Corveu? :: VI-1-i A.L.S. French 1p. 4to.

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Valcour Olivier, son of Casimire Olivier and Carmelite Frelot ; and Felicia Frelot, daughter of Antoine Frelot and Adelle Olivier, free persons of color, ask for a dispensation. :: VI-1-i A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Francais received Blanc's letter of the 21st. Francais can assure Blanc that all that false Catholic claims in that evil newspaper is false. It is pure calumny. Laclaire Fuselier to whom Francais showed it, told him not to reply. He said that by keeping silent he would humiliate them more. For the 21 years Francais has been in Louisiana as a priest, Francais has never mixed in politics. He has never used his citizenship which he acquired 15 years ago. The men connected with this party came...

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Joseph Pierre Mendoza and Marie Steven Wachell wish to marry and ask for a dispensation. The young man's father is Pierre Mendoza, his mother is Marie Verret. The girl's father is Steven Wachell and her mother is Louise Verret :: VI-1-g A.L.S. French 1p. 4to.

Scope and Contents Francais is forced to break the silence he had preserved concerning the conduct of Father Paul Guerard . First, when Mrs. Laclaire Fuselier brought the holy oils, Francais asked Guerard to come to take some. He replied that he had not renewed them since he left the diocese of Natchez. 2. A month ago, Eugène Barabino, being very ill, sent for him. Guerard refused to go saying that he did not have time and the man died without the sacraments. 3. Christmas Day after Mass, Guerard went to the...

Scope and Contents Francais is sorry to have to ask for a dispensation; he has done all he can to dissuade them. Pierre Adrien Hebert, son of Helie Hebert and Azelie Pitre, wishes to marry Madelène Avelina Robichaud, daughter of Simon Robichaud and Domitille Louvière, 2nd degree cousins on the maternal side. He said in his last letter that he hoped to see Blanc during this month but he is so busy it is impossible. It will not be before the first week of Lent. Blanc will no doubt receive complaints from Father...

Scope and Contents Following Blanc's wishes that Francais go to Franklin, Louisiana , he left Saturday morning. He said Mass on Sunday; there were many there. After Mass, the most influential Catholics came to see Francais at the home of Ursin Perret . They beg Blanc to give them a pastor. They said they were willing to build a presbytery but could not have it finished before March. In the meantime they would furnish lodging and salary. They would let him have the pew rent. It is urgent to have resident...

Scope and Contents Francais has just given hospitality to two persons dressed in the habit of Sisters of Charity; the weather was too bad to send them elsewhere. One is Sister Mary of the Desert, S.C., the other Sister Mary of the Angels, S.C.. They said they were collecting for an orphanage they had founded in the Third Municipality. He did not ask them for an authorization signed by Blanc. He has no doubts about them but they have been burdened with collectors and Francais asks Blanc to give authorizations...

Scope and Contents The disturbances of Dernière Ile have no doubt come to Blanc's attention. The loss of Adrien Frère, his wife and little boy, and two little negroes is confirmed as well as the loss of Gabriel Gravemberg who leaves a wife and six children. His brother Louis Gravemberg was saved. He saw his brother and Gasparre Ratier perish without being able to help them. Laclaire Fuselier and others left on the 15th to search for the bodies. St. Mary's parish has lost more than a million dollars. A great...

Scope and Contents Francais hastens to reply to Blanc's letter of July 30. He has no one for Confirmation this year. He has three slaves Negroes but he fears their masters do not want to do without their services for some days. Many families have left Francais' district to go to other parishes. The people of Cypremort are nearer the Patout church. Francais thought he would have 7 or 8 Indians for First Communion on All Saints Day but he has little success with this nation Chetimachas . However, he is not...

Scope and Contents Francais takes advantage of Mr. Darolles to beg Odin not to let him suffer any longer in St. Mary's Parish. Two weeks ago, G. Laclerc Fuselier, Jules Mobly, F. Etienne, and H. Hinkley? wished to make him leave. General Richard Taylor Thylor accorded him a pass for the Confederate lines. However it fell into the hands of Fuselier who refuses to give it to him. When Francais sees Odin he will reveal their ill-founded motives for making him leave. Odin's last letter made him hope he would send...

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Francais asks Rousselon to send him the holy oils by the bearer. He includes $10, result of the Easter collection for the Seminary. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Francais' revenues are barely sufficient for his support. This year the pews rented for $300; there were no burials or marriages. Mr. Megnard who will bring this will pay Rousselon the two groups of? tens of the Propagation of the Faith. He will take Rousselon's commissions for Francais. Rousselon is to send the holy oils. Francais was at New Iberia? with the intention of going to St. Martin for them and they were not there. Francais cannot at present pay the $25 subscribed for the episcopal...

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Francais sends $20 on what he owes; he still owes $12. If Rousselon can send him Mass intentions for this amount, it will greatly oblige Francais. :: VI-1-o A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents If Francais did not acknowledge Rousselon's letter of May 24, it was because he did not think it necessary. He hastens to reply to the one of September 22. He read in the newspapers about the Archbishop's accident. Francais owed $40 for the vestment; he said the 8 Masses Rousselon sent him on May 24; leaving a balance of $32. Francais sent $20 by the Archbishop leaving a balance of $12; he will say the 12 Masses and then they will be even. Francais wrote the Archbishop giving an account of...

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This to inform Rousselon of the happy ending of Francais' undertaking in regard to the Propagation of the Faith; he believes he can assemble 2 groups of ten. He will send some money after Easter. Francais subscribed $25 for the episcopal revenue; he will pay it during the year. He would like some Mass intentions to pay part of what he owes for the vestment. :: VI-1-n A.L.S. French 1p. 4to.

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Father Ennemond Dupuy has asked for Francais for a long time. Francais is without shoes and without money. He has been here three months and he has asked Dupuy if two priests could live here and he replied no and that it was impossible for him to pay anyone. However, Francais says Mass, preaches, baptizes, etc. for his food :: V-5-g A.L.S. French 3pp. 8vo.

Scope and Contents Francais arrived here 2 hours ago, having left home 3 days ago and being detained by the bad weather. Elisé Touchecker, son of Michael Touchecker and Celestine Carver ; and Elisabeth Absher, daughter of Théophile Absher and Marguerite Touchecker, ask for a dispensation. Francais did not receive Blanc's letter until Christmas eve. He found the inventory made. Father Hyacinthe Tumoine , Father Fontbonne's assistant told Francais that he was at this inventory in the sacristy so that profane...

Scope and Contents He received Blanc's letter of December 31. This letter would puff up anyone inclined to pride. It is impossible for Francais to make the people understand that they should build a church. Another priest night do better here: Father Isidore Cuny . Cuni would do wonders. He knows the people of New Iberia, having served there a year. If he asked Blanc for this post, it was not for human considerations but rather to be nearer a confrere. He was far away but he had the consolation of seeing...

Scope and Contents He sends his wishes for a happy new year. At Mass he remembers all his confreres who continue to work in the difficult mission which his infirmities forced him to leave. He will never forget America. In France there is an abundance of material things but if he did not believe in the words of the Divine Master, he would think that religion is at an end. It is forbidden for the Bishops to talk of the Pope's encyclical. Francais received Odin's letter dated June 28. He rejoiced in Odin's better...