Blace, O.F.M., Father Jerome
and
Father Flavien de Besancon, O.M.Cap.

Proceedings for the filling of the pastorship of St. Charles of the First German Coast by Father Geronimo Blace, O.F.M. and of the assistant pastorship of the Cathedral by Father Flaviano de Besanson, O.M.Cap.

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1797 Dec. 12

Penalver y Cardenas, Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana

A priest having arrived in New Orleans who can go to serve as chaplain of the Third Battalion of the regiment of Louisiana in Pensacola, it is not necessary to have an assistant pastor in that parish although Blace had been appointed but had not arrived at his destination because his duties as one of the assistants at the Cathedral had prevented him. Blace is named as pastor of St. Charles of the First German Coast and Besanson will succeed to the assistantship held provisionally by Blace. Penalver orders that a letter be sent to the Vice Patron asking that the nomination be duly sent. Father Isidro Quintero certifies this.

D.S. (Spanish)

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1797 Dec. 12

(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana

to Manuel Gayoso de Lemos
(New Orleans, Louisiana)

Two priests have arrived, one of whom is to go as chaplain of the Third Battalion at Pensacola. This relieves the necessity for priests and Blace, appointed as assistant of that parish although he had not yet gone there can be assigned for something more urgent. In the parish of St. Charles of the First German Coast, they are displeased with Besanson; they regard him as a good priest but of gloomy character; he also would like to go to some other place and Blace would fit in that parish as Besanson would fit in one of the assistantships. Therefore if Gayoso consents, their nominations are to be sent. A note by Quintero adds that this is a copy of the letter sent.

L.S. Copy (Spanish)

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1797 Dec. 13

Gayoso de Lemos, Manuel
New Orleans, (Louisiana)

to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas)
New Orleans, Louisiana

The arrangement that (Penalver) has made for Blace to go to St. Charles of the German Coast and Besanson who was there to go as an assistant at the Cathedral is agreeable to Gayoso. This is in answer to (Penalver)'s letter of yesterday.

L.S. (Spanish)

On the same paper:

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1797 Dec. 13

(Penalver y Cardenas, Luis), Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana

This is to be added to the case. Titles are to be sent to Blace as pastor of St. Charles of the First German Coast and to Besanson as assistant at the Cathedral. A copy is to be made of these appointments so that the original can be sent to the Intendant of the Army and the Treasury so that they may be officially registered. Quintero certifies this.

D.S. (Spanish)

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1797 Dec. 13

Penalver y Cardenas, Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana

to Father Geronimo Blace
(New Orleans, Louisiana)

Having a chaplain for the Third Battalion the assistantship at this parish for which Blace had been appointed, can be suspended and Blace can go as pastor of St. Charles which will be left vacant by Besanson leaving to be one of the assistants at the Cathedral. Penalver proposed this in a letter yesterday to Gayoso, who sent his assent today. Therefore Penalver gives Blace all the faculties necessary to administer this parish, charges him with all its obligations and declares him entitled to collect its various fees. Quintero certifies this.

D.S. Copy (Spanish)

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1797 Dec. 13

Penalver y Cardenas, Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana

to Father Flaviano de Besanson
(First German Coast, Louisiana)

One of the assistantships of the Cathedral being vacant and knowing that Besanson, pastor of St. Charles of the First Coast of the Germans, is without an assignment since Blace has been appointed (at St. Charles) today, Penalver has proposed to Gayoso that Besanson occupy one of the assistantships and has secured Gayoso's assent. Penalver appoints Besanson by this document and gives him the necessary faculties, charges him with his responsibilities and declares him entitled to fees. Quintero certifies this and adds in a note that these (the two above documents) are copies of the titles sent.

D.S. Copy (Spanish)

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1797 Dec. 14

(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana

to Juan Ventura Morales
New Orleans, Louisiana)

Attached are the titles of Blace and Besanson. (Penalver) asks Morales to order them recorded and then to return them to him so that he may send them on to those concerned. Quintero adds in a note that this is a copy of the letter sent.

L.S. Copy (Spanish)

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1797 Dec. 15

Morales, Juan Ventura
New Orleans, (Louisiana)

to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas
New Orleans, Louisiana)

Morales returns enclosed the titles (no enclosures) of Blase and Besanson. They have been duly registered in the accountant's office, for which purpose (Penalver) sent them in his letter of yesterday.

L.S. (Spanish)

V-1-e D.S., L.S., and Copies 10pp. 4to. (Spanish)
6