Lusson, O.F.M., Father Charles Leandre
Proceedings for the providing of a pastor at St. Charles of the Missouri in the Illinois country in the person of Father Carlos Leandro Luson, O.F.M.
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1797 Sep. 23
(Penalver y Cardenas, Luis), Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
to Father Diego Maxivel
(St. Genevieve, Missouri)
(Penalver) considers a priest necessary either at St. Charles or St. Ferdinand or some other place to take care of the colonists who have gone to the Illinois country. It would be difficult to obtain one here, and one could be procured from the American side. He has taken up the matter with the governor who wrote to Zenon Troudeaux so if Maxivel finds one capable and fit, he is to come to an agreement with Troudeaux and accept him, authorizing him to administer the sacraments, using the faculties (Penalver) gives Maxivel. (Penalver) assumes that Maxivel will verify the legitimacy of his papers and his habits and talents and will send (Penalver) a copy of his papers so that he can send him his legal title. He is to be advised that his assignment will be 30 pesos a month and fees as pastor.
L.S. Draft (Spanish)
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1798 Mar. 1
Maxwell, Father (James) Diego
St. Genevieve, (Missouri)
to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas
New Orleans, Louisiana)
Maxwell has been notified by the pastor of St. Louis that the number of American emigrants in this district is 600 and growing daily. Their religion is Anabaptist, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Universalist and very few Catholics. They settle on both sides of the Missouri River from five to fifteen leagues from St. Louis. Up to now Maxwell has not been able to find a priest but he hopes to get one by spring from the United States.
A.L.S. (Spanish)
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1798 May 9
Maxwell, Father Diego
St. Genevieve, (Missouri)
to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas
New Orleans, Louisiana)
Since (Penalver) in his letter of September 23, 1797 told him that he desired a priest in one of the posts in the Illinois country, Maxwell, on May 7, accepted Lusson in agreement with Trudeaux, at a salary of 30 pesos a month. He warned him that nothing would be advanced until it was recorded in the office of the Commandant that Father (Pierre Joseph) Didier, (O.S.B.), pastor of St. Louis, has placed him in the parish of St. Charles. Maxwell informs (Penalver) so that he may send his title after seeing the papers which he encloses.
A.L.S. (Spanish)
Enclosures:
Certificate of Baptism, Letter of Tonsure, Letter of Minor Orders,
Letter of Subdiaconate, Letter of Diaconate, Letter of Priesthood,
Approbation of the Bishop of Angers, Certificate from the Diocese of
St. Malo, Approbation from the Diocese of Angers, Faculties for
LeBreuil, Faculties for St. John of the Cross parish,
License to go to Santo Domingo, Certificate of good character from
Angers, Letter as assistant at Port de Paix, Letter as ship's chaplain
on "The Leopard," Letter as pastor of Cap Francois, Letter as pastor of
St. Susanne, Orders to go to the parish of St. Louis of the North,
Letter as pastor of St. Louis of the North, Permission to leave Santo
Domingo and flee persecution, Letter of commendation as pastor in the
Illinois Country by Bishop John (Carroll) of Baltimore.
D.S. Copy (Latin and French)
Enclosure:
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1798 Jun/ 13
(Carroll), J(ohn), Bishop of
Baltimore, (Maryland)
to Father (Charles Leandre Lusson
)
In sending Lusson to Illinois, (Carroll) intends him to be pastor at Kaskaskia in case Father (Gabriel) Richard continues to be pastor at Cahokia and Prairie du Rocher. But since Richard is very uncertain whether he will remain, (Carroll)'s intention is that, in case of his departure, Lusson is to consult with him about the best ways to give more service to the different parishes and establish his residence at the place recommended by Richard, his experience making him a better judge than Lusson or (Carroll). Father (Michael) LeVadoux, (S.S.) having written that he could not act as vicar general for the Illinois country because of the great distance, (Carroll) names to replace him Father (Jean Francois) Rivet of Vincennes. (Lusson) is to apply to him in cases demanding a superior decision.
A.L.S. Copy (French)
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1798 May 3
Trudeau, Zenon
St. Louis, (Missouri)
As lieutenant governor of the western part of Illinois, Trudeau certifies that the preceding copies have been taken from the original papers presented to Trudeau by Lusson, pastor of the Church of the Holy Family at Kaokia on the American side, and he gives them to (Penalver) to be used as he wishes. Didier signs as pastor of St. Louis and certifies that all is correct.
A.D.S. (Spanish)
Copy of two letters sent to the Bishop of Baltimore by Lusson:
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1797 Nov. 15
Lusson, Father (Charles Leandre)
Cahokia, Illinois
to Bishop (John Carroll)
Baltimore, (Maryland)
Lusson did not have the opportunity to write as soon as he arrived and he wished to know the country better before giving (Carroll) news. The journey was very hard; he is in the most miserable state in the United States of America. Richard has placed him at Cahokia where he thought it most necessary, knowing that he could not live at Kaskaskia. The people formerly paid tithes of the 26th bushel but the missionaries, knowing that they did not faithfully discharge that obligation preferred subscription. It cost Lusson a piastre to cross the river and back to St. Louis. Rivet wrote that he had to go to Prairie du Rocher and that Lusson was not to fail to be there for All Soul's Day. He was told he could get a horse by paying 8 piastres to go and 12 to get back. At last he had to walk. By "piastre" is meant a dollar's worth of merchandise and "piastre gourde" means paid in silver which is very rare here. Almost all business is by exchange. The subscription of the parishioners is about 300 piastres which many will not pay except when forced by law which he will try to avoid. It would be easier to live in Baltimore on $150 than here on 300 piastres. He would not be able to hire a negro domestic for less than 70 or 80 piastres. He fears that in spite of his attachment to (Carroll) he will be forced to go elsewhere. (Carroll) will ask how LeVadoux had other means and he aided Richard in the beginning and since he has been at Prairie du Rocher, a Mr. Barbeau has given him an allowance. Barbeau said that when Richard leaves he will perhaps take the sum to go to live with his children at St. Genevieve on the other side. LeVadoux and Richard are supported by Masses probably from Montreal. If (Carroll) wishes to help, he could engage for him two men and a woman slave for 20 years after which they could be free. Menard could bring them to him. (Carroll) could use for this the $600 Lusson gave him. His approbation is limited to the end of 1798 and he asks a renewal of it. He sent the pastor of St. Louis the letter (Carroll) gave him for Father (Paul de) St. Pierre who left immediately for St. Genevieve to be replaced by Maxwell, vicar general. St. Pierre received orders to return to his bishop and it is believed that he will not return to St. Genevieve. Lusson returns the letter for O'Brien as he was gone when he arrived. Several persons have married outside the church; the latest now repent and the wife would like the nuptial blessing. On one side canon law forbids it and on the other side, civil law obliges the wife to remain under the authority of the husband. Lusson believes that he cannot give the sacraments to such persons and remembers that (Carroll) blamed him when he lived in Maryland for wanting to give the blessing to a Catholic marrying a Protestant. He always saw Father (Sylvester) Boarman giving the sacraments to Catholics married to persons of different sects. They had word that Rivet was ill; Lusson fears for the life of this zealous missionary.
A.L.S. Copy (French)
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1798 May 6
Lusson, Father (Charles Leandre)
Cahokias, Illinois
to Bishop (John Carroll)
Baltimore, (Maryland)
Richard left the middle of Lent. Lusson wrote to Prairie du Rocher
and Caskaskia to send a horse so that he could come to let them make
their Easter duty; he received no reply so could not go. Most of them
have not paid their subscription. He has urged them to finish their
church; LeVadoux has no doubt told (Carroll) that Mass is said in the
rectory, one side of which is ready to fall down. Scarcely one-fourth
have made their Easter duty. Four or five children came to the school
and at last none. Lusson eats at a boarding house for ten piastres a
month. Perhaps he should have remained at Prairie du Rocher after
Richard's departure but Barbeau who gave him his board is very old.
The parishioners gave nothing to Richard last year and for three years
he received nothing from Caskaskia. Lusson has accepted the curacy of
St. Charles, eight leagues from St. Louis, offered him by Maxwell and
Trudeau according to orders received from the Bishop of New Orleans,
and the Spanish government. The pastors of St. Genevieve and St. Louis
have promised to look after the parishes until (Carroll) provides for
them. He has spent all he had in his diocese; it is time he procured a
better living than he has had since he left Santo Domingo. If
(Carroll) has bought the negroes he asked for in his first letter, he
can send them by Menard who will give him a receipt until Lusson sends
his bond for $600.
P.S. He took advantage of an opportunity to go to Prairie du Rocher
and Caskaskia and gave them a chance to make their Easter duty.
A.L.S. Copy (French)
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1798 Jun. 14
(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
to Manuel Gayoso de Lemos
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
On September 23, 1797, (Penalver) commissioned Maxivel to get a priest from the American side and to assign him, with the consent of Troudeaux to the place where he was most needed. Maxivel on May 9 replied that he had accepted Lusson whose papers he sent to (Penalver) signed by the pastor of St. Louis, Father Didier and Troudeaux. Being informed, Gayoso will send him nomination to the Church of St. Charles of the Missouri with instructions that he will not be given the salary of 30 pesos a month until he takes over.
L.S. Draft (Spanish)
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1798 Jun. 16
Gayoso de Lemos, Manuel
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas
New Orleans, Louisiana)
As asked in (Penalver)'s letter of the 14th, Gayoso has informed the administration about Lusson so that his salary may be allowed.
L.S. (Spanish)
On the same paper:
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1798 Jun. 25
(Penalver y Cardenas, Luis), Bishop of
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
this is to be added to the case. Quintero certifies this decree.
D.S. (Spanish)
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1798 Jun. 25
Gayoso de Lemos, Manuel
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas
New Orleans, Louisiana)
On this date, Gayoso answered the Intendant as follows: "I have today informed the auditor about the appointment of Luzon as pastor of St. Charles by Maxwell, Vicar General for St. Louis as explained to you by Trudeau in his letter of May 30 which you sent me today." Gayoso sends it to (Penalver) keeping in mind the insinuation (Penalver) made in this regard.
L.S. (Spanish)
On the same paper:
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1798 Jun. 25
(Penalver y Cardenas, Luis), Bishop of
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
(This is to be kept) with the case and the appointment is to be sent.
A.D.S. (Spanish)
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1798 Jun. 28
Penalver y Cardenas, Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
Penalver grants Luson [Lusson] the faculties necessary for the pastorship of St. Charles declaring him entitled to the salary of 30 pesos a month and the fees.
D.S. Copy (Spanish)
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1798 Jun. 30
(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
to Juan Ventura Morales
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
(Penalver) encloses the appointment of Luson to the parish of St. Charles so that it may be registered with the auditor and then returned.
L.S. Draft (Spanish)
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1798 Jun. 30
Morales, Juan Ventura
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas
New Orleans, Louisiana)
Lusson's appointment has been registered and Morales returns it to (Penalver) as requested in his letter of this date.
L.S. (Spanish)
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1798 Jul. 2
(Penalver y Cardenas, Luis), Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana
to Father Diego Maxivel
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
(Penalver) sends Luson's [Lusson] title as pastor of St. Charles which Maxivel is to give to him.
A.L.S. Draft (Spanish)
V-l-i L.S., A.L.S., D.S., A.D.S. 61pp. 4to. & 8vo. Copies & Drafts
(Spanish, French, Latin)
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