Quintanar, O.M.C. Felix de
(Galveston), Louisiana

to Bishop Penalver y Cardenas
(New Orleans)

Father Quintanar states:
1. That, as he has been ordered by Bishop's letter of April 3, 1795, he is sending him the census of the parish with the increase of the population. Moreover, that since there are some English that do not have a domicile and are moving from one place to another, he omitted them in the list, including thought, those who have not fulfilled their obligations, as well as the church's needs and its fixed revenue. Moreover, it has only two pews, one made by the last commander, and one by the present one for his family.
2. That with regard to the spiritual, Father Quintanar found it in a miserable state as regards the essential things of the salvation of souls. Since his arrival in this parish on Jan. 29, 1791, he has been teacher of school, teaching the parishioners how to read, and to write, and the Christian doctrine. Furthermore, he has asked the children to repeat to their parents what they have been taught at school, and in that way he succeeded in having these know enough to be saved. Finally, he has himself preached the doctrine every night in church.
3. That, at his own expense, he sent for first books of children, reading books, daily exercises, etc. from Havana which Father Ubaldo, who is a teacher of school there, had the kindness to send over.
4. That both the English and Spanish have a miserable custom of marrying the Negroes themselves, and whenever Father Quintanar tells them that he will marry the Negroes without charge, they laugh at him, and say that this is the usage not only in this town but in all the colony. That is why he wants to leave immediately this miserable colony for the quietness of his convent, being, however, disposed to obey Bishop's will. Signed by Felix de Quintanar.
--To this is added a note by Quintanar himself that he knows in his parish only one protestant called Juan Hulk. Moreover, that the English because they cannot confess either in Spanish or in French, do not do it even in their own language, although the Pastor of Baton Rouge did the favor to Quintanar of confessing some of them.
--To this is added the census of the parochial church of Saint Bernard of Galvestown corresponding to the year 1795. I Men: a) White men from 1 year to 15--21; from 15 on--37. b) Free half-breeds from 1 year of age to 15--3; from 15 on--37. c) Slaves from 1 year to 15--8; from 15 on--8. d) Total of men--79. II Women: a) White women from 1 year to 15--40; from 15 on--37. b) Free half-breeds from 1 to 15; from 15 on--3; from 15 on--6. Total of women, 90. III Total of souls, 169. IV Father Quintanar specifies: a) That there is an increase of two parishioners over the preceding year. b) That the following failed to fulfill the annual precept: Jose Bacil Maltez and his wife Isabel, a German; Pedro Arruet and his son Luis; Francisco Joseph(?) Pauly and a Negro woman. c) That the annual revenue of this church is 50 "pesos" granted by the King. d) That it needs a pulpit, lamp, cross, candlesticks, capes for the choir, front ornament for the altar, chalice, Missal, cruets, and a ritual. e) That the church is threatened with ruin if it is not rebuilt. f) That the chalice, Missal, cruets, and ritual used by this church belong to the regiment of infantry of Louisiana.
--That this was drawn up in the Parochial church of Galvestown on Dec. 28, 1795. Signed by Felix de Quintanar, Capuchin.

IV-5-d A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo. 1p.-4to. (Spanish)
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