Briones Goitia, Merced., Father Jose Agustin and Father Jose Serrano, O.P.
Proceedings for the appointment of Briones as Chaplain of the First Battalion of the Infantry of Louisiana and of Serrano for the Third Battalion.
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1797 Dec. 16
Penalver y Cardenas, Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
As bishop and lieutenant vicar general of the Royal Armies in the province, Penalver states that, the chaplaincy of the Third Battalion in Pensacola being vacant because of the resignation, due to illness, of Father Antonio Moreno, (O.F.M.), he sent a letter, attached herewith, on September 22 to the Count of Santa Clara, Captain-General of Cuba and of these provinces, asking that a priest be found in Havana to serve in this capacity and another for the chaplaincy of the First Battalion. In letters of October 18 and October 30, attached herewith, he was given two priests, Serrano for the First Battalion and Briones for the Third with titles sent by Bishop Felipe (Joseph de) Trespalacios of Havana, also attached. Father Isidro Quintero certifies this as secretary.
D.S. (Spanish)
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1797 Sep. 22
(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
to Count of Santa Clara
(Havana, Cuba)
The two battalions in New Orleans have only one temporary chaplain, Father Augustin Lamare, (O.F.M.) and the Third, in Pensacola, lacks one because Merino, sent for that purpose by Luis de las Casas, Santa Clara's predecessor, was incapacitated by illness so that he cannot say Mass, and with the consent of Baron (Francisco Luis Hector de) Carondelet, was given his dismissal. Since the scarcity of priests in this province is so extreme that some parishes are without one, (Penalver) asks Santa Clara to take some means in (Havana) where priests are plentiful, whereby some one may offer to serve. As for the parishes, (Penalver) presented the case to the Supreme Council and even repeated his arguments but the results were delayed. Quintero certifies that this is a copy of the letter sent December 16, 1697.
L.S.Copy (Spanish)
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1797 Oct. 18
S(an)ta Clara, Count of
Havana, (Cuba)
to Bishop Luis Penalver y Cardenas
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
Having acquainted the bishop of Havana with Penalver's letter of September 22 the bishop of Havana with Penalver's letter of September 22 the bishop replied as follows: "In consequence of your letter of October 16, in which I learned of the letter sent you by the bishop of Louisiana concerning the lack of chaplains, I have ordered an edict calling together all priests who wish to apply for these vacancies." S(an)ta Clara will advise Penalver of the results.
L.S. (Spanish)
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1797 Oct. 30
Trespalacios, Phelipe J(ose)ph, Bishop of
Havana, (Cuba)
Since S(an)ta Clara has shown Trespalacios the necessity for chaplains asking him to expedite the sending of suitable priests and since Father Joseph de Agustin Briones y Abona, Merced. has presented himself and although Briones has not brought his license from his superior, who Trespalacios thinks would not deny it to him in the face of such urgent circumstances, Trespalacios, by this document, imparts the necessary faculties (given in detail). Francisco Font certifies this as secretary to the bishop as Subdelegate of the Cardinal Vicar General of the Royal Armies.
D.S. (Spanish)
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1797 Oct. 30
Trespalacios, Phelipe J(ose)ph
Havana, (Cuba)
Since S(an)ta Clara has shown, in a letter of October 16, the necessity for a chaplain for the Regiment of Louisiana, stationed in New Orleans and for the Third, stationed in Pensacola, asking him to expedite the sending of suitable priests and since Father J(ose)ph Serrano, O.P. has presented himself, Trespalacios, by this document, imparts the necessary faculties (given in detail). Font certifies as secretary.
D.S. (Spanish)
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1797 Oct. 31
S(an)ta Clara, Count of
Havana, (Cuba)
to Bishop Luis Penalver y Cardenas
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
On October 18, S(an)ta Clara sent Penalver the answer given by the bishop of Havana. Serrana and Goitia having presented themselves, with suitable licenses from the bishop, the first went to (New Orleans) and the second to Pensacola.
L.S. (Spanish)
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1797 Dec. 19
Penalver y Cardenas, Luis, Bishop of
(New Orleans), Louisiana
The titles sent October 30 by the Bishop of Havana to Serrano as chaplain for the First Battalion and Briones for the Third have been (received). There is some misunderstanding about which Penalver hesitates to make opposition to the Cardinal Patriarch, Vicar General of the Armies. The commission which this prelate has for his diocese, Penalver has for his and he cannot expose the administration of the Sacraments to nullify through letters which lack power since it did not exist in the one who gave them out. Therefore, leaving them on file, Penalver gives out others to Serrano for the Third Battalion and Briones for the First by which he tries to reconcile age, character and other circumstances with the territory in which they are to exercise their ministry. Quintero certifies this decree.
D.S. (Spanish)
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1797 Dec. 19
Penalver y Cardenas, Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
Penalver imparts faculties to Serrano.
Countersigned by Quintero.
D.S. Copy (Spanish)
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1797 Dec. 19
Penalver y Cardenas, Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
Penalver imparts faculties to Briones.
Countersigned by Quintero.
D.S. Copy (Spanish)
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1797 Dec. 20
(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
On September 22 (Penalver) informed the Count of St. Clara of the vacancy in the chaplaincies of the First and Third Battalions to which the Count replied on October 31 sending Serrano for the First and Briones for the Third Battalion. The Bishop of Havana made these appointments without a knowledge of the places they were to serve. Suiting their ages and personalities to their places, (Penalver) has sent Serrano to the Third and Briones to the First Battalion. He informs Gayoso, asking him to inform the Regiment so that they may be accepted and that the chaplain of the Third Battalion may go to Pensacola where he is needed.
L.S. Copy (Spanish)
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1797 Dec. 22
Gayoso de Lemos, Manuel
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas)
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
Gayoso has sent notices to the Colonel of the Regiment and to the Intendant about the appointment of Serrano and Goitia to the Third and First Battalions and sends notice to (Penalver) in answer to his letter of December 20.
L.S. (Spanish)
On the same paper:
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1797 Dec. 22
(Penalver y Cardenas, Luis), Bishop of
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
This (above letter) is to be added to the case. Quintero certifies this.
D.S. (Spanish)
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1797 Dec. 22
(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
to The Count of Santa Clara
(Havana, Cuba)
On October 18 and 31 Santa Clara sent (Penalver) the letter which the
Bishop of (Cuba) sent. In addition to the letters (Penalver) gives
thanks for the promptness with which Santa Clara heeded his
recommendation.
L.S. Copy (Spanish)
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1798 May 18
(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis, Bishop
Pensacola, (Florida)
to The Count of Santa Clara
(Havana, Cuba)
On December 22, (Penalver) wrote the following: Here the letter (is to be quoted). (Penalver) has learned that because of seizure by the enemy or some other cause, it did not reach Santa Clara. Not wanting to default, (Penalver) thanks him again for the promptness with which he provided chaplains and repeats that Santa Clara will please be informed that the above events caused the delay.
L.S. Draft (Spanish)
V-l-g D.S., L.S. Copy, L.S., L.S. draft (Spanish) 20pp. 4to.
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