1842 Feb 20 Etienne. (C.M.), Father (Jean-Baptiste) Paris, (France) To Father (Bonaventure) Armengol Assumption-La Fourche, Louisiana Although Etienne has not written for a long time, he is very much interested in the work confided to Armengol. The last circular sent to Armengol told him of their position here. Today their position is less painful, he hopes they will soon come out of this crisis. Armengol's letter of December 22 to Father (Jean-Baptiste) Nozo, C.M.) was not only given to (Father Marc-Antoine) Poussou, (C.M.), it was given to the council and Etienne was commissioned to reply to it. They have been delighted by the good news in his letter. Armengol asked: 1. To be authorized to receive 10,000 francs as a loan, to be repaid at Paris. But he does not say when nor if Father (John) Timon, (C.M.) has approved the use he proposes to make of it. Timon has already used all the funds allowed this year for America. Armengol is to consult with Timon. 2. Armengol asks to be authorized to keep his Mass stipends to give to his parents. It has been arranged with Timon that no priest in America is to keep the stipends but that a certain sum will be given to those whose parents need it. Timon, on his return to America, will have told Armengol of the resolutions passed by the Council that each mission have its administration and resources according to their rule and that the local superior will have all the rights belonging to his office. V-4-m A.L.S. (French) 3pp. 4to. 4 1842 Feb 15(?) Cohen, Benjamin W. New Orleans, (Louisiana) To Bishop (Anthony) Blank(!) New Orleans, (Louisiana) Having succeeded in establishing a Vaccine Institution in this city Cohen offers to take the different orphan asylums over which Blanc has jurisdiction, free of any expenses. He already has the Poydras Asylum under his charge and has vaccinated over 40 children. Smallpox having appeared in several parts of the city it should receive the earliest attention. V-4-m A.L.S. 2pp. 4to. 2 1842 Jan 24 Mina, Father Ve. M(odest)e and Father (Joseph) Billon, St. John Baptist (Second German Coast, Louisiana) To Father St(ephen) Rousselon New Orleans, (Louisiana) Joseph Bourgeois, wishing to marry Marie Céline Champagne, asks for a dispensation. Both live in St. Charles Parish, First German Coast. Mina received Rousselon's letter of the 22nd and hastens to send the baptismal certificate requested (no enclosure). Billon joins in sending respects. V-4-m A.L.S. (French) 1842 Feb 4 Odin, C.M., Father J(ohn) M(ary) Galveston, (Texas) To Bishop A(nthony) Blanc New Orleans, L(ouisian)a Odin has just arrived and learning that a boat is to leave tomorrow for New Orleans he hastens to send news. He left San Antonio the Monday after Christmas and barely escaped the arrows of the Comanches and on the third day he almost fell into the hands of a band of robbers. Along the way he visited a great number of Catholic families. What difficulties to overcome in this country! As he was writing this, (Michael?) Menard brought Blanc's letters of last October and November. Odin was far from expecting the sad news Blanc communicated; he hopes His Holiness has deigned to dispense him from an honor of which he feels unworthy and a burden which he is incapable of bearing. Odin cannot set out tomorrow; he will leave by the next boat. Death has taken Father (George Haydon) Hayden. V-4-m A.L.S. (French) 3pp. 4to. 3 1842 Mar 20 Laurant, J(ean) Pointe Coupée, (Louisiana) to Bishop Ant(hony) Blanc New Orleans, Louisiana At the last meeting of the trustees of St. Francis Church, a resolution was taken to inform Blanc of their desire to see harmony and peace restored in their parish. Therefore Laurant asks him to dispense them from paying Father (Jean) Martin the immense amount he lays claim to and for which he has instituted court proceedings. It is absolutely necessary for the trustees to wait for the decision of the court before paying any sum whatsoever. Trustees elected later could hold their predecessors responsible for the money which in Laurant's opinion is not legitimately due to Martin. Blanc will no doubt reply that the trustees did not inform him of the withdrawal on December 31, 1835 of the decree of July 1, 1834, which had allowed $1000 a year to Martin but Martin should have informed Blanc for the contract was destroyed with his consent. Are they responsible for the faults of their predecessors and are they condemned to see their churches abandoned and their children growing up in ignorance? They beg Blanc to come and put an end to this state of things. Laurant offers Blanc his house, a carriage, and a servant for his stay in their parish. V-4-m A.L.S. (French) 3pp. 4to. 1842 Apr 17 Lanaux, Ph. New Orleans, (Louisiana) Permission for his Negress, Severine, to have her baby baptized. V-4-m A.D.S. (French) 1p. 32mo. 0 1842 Apr 18 Brogard, Father J(oseph) N(icolas) Baton Rouge, (Louisiana) Answers to questions (constituting a census) of St. Joseph's Church of East Baton Rouge and (an account of the church finances and furnishings). Brogard's birth date is May 27, 1810; he was ordained September 29, 1838 in the Chapel of the Visitation, Georgetown, D.C.; appointed to St. Joseph's on January 1, 1842. V-4-m A.D.S. (French) 3pp. 4to. 1 1842 Apr 20 David Caracas, Venezuela to Bishop Anthony Blanc New Orleans, (Louisiana) For a long time David has wanted to write to Blanc but he wanted first to see the Archbishop of Caracas who returned only the Monday of Holy Week. Mrs. David and Isabelle attended all the services at the Cathedral. Bishop (John Anthony) de la Pena plans to answer Blanc's letter; he will tell Blanc that Venezuela has an archbishop at Caracas and two bishops, one for Merida and one for Guiana. Their trip was very fine; Blanc's priests contributed not a little to it. He received a most flattering welcome from the President and other officials of Venezuela and he hopes to be of some use to his fellow countrymen. David signs as Consul General. P.S. Mr. Germain will bring these lines. V-5-e A.L.S. (French) 4pp. Folio to be cont......................... ==== LASTJOHN Mailing List ====