Castro, (O.M.Cap.), Father Buenaventura de
Summary of the proceedings against Castro, pastor of Iberville, (Louisiana).
--------
1798 Apr. 20
Hassett, Father Thomas
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
Hassett, canon of the Cathedral of New Orleans and vicar general of the diocese has examined a letter of Manuel Gayoso de Lemos, Brigadier of the Royal Armies and governor general of these provinces, dated April 18, 1798, and five certified copies of testimony sent to him by Lorenzo Sigur, commandant of Iberville, relating to the irregular behavior of Castro in wounding Josef Dupuis, syndic, in the eye with a piece of wood on April 13, 1798 while Dupuis was carrying out the orders of his commandant. Hassett orders that the original official letter of the governor and a copy of his answer with other related papers be assembled and that a letter be sent to Father Patrick Mangan, pastor of St. James of Cabahonose, enclosing a copy of this decree and that suitable powers be given Mangan to receive, with two witnesses, the testimony of Nicolas Narsiso Ebert, Isaac LeBlanc, Senatur Babin, Ramon Pastore and other witnesses presented by Dupuis, and to send the proceedings to this court that it may act upon it and ask the help of the governor general. If Castro is found guilty he is to be ordered to go to New Orleans. Fran(cis)co Broutin signs this as notary.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Apr. 21
Gayoso (de Lemos), Manuel
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
The above decree is to be carried out. This is also by Lic(encia)do(?) Lawyer(?) Serrano.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Apr. 18
Gayoso de Lemos, Manuel
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Father Tomas Hassett
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
Gayoso encloses copies of the five documents relating that the pastor of Iberville had injured Joseph Dupuis, syndic of Iberville, in the eye with a piece of wood as he sought to take a soldier from the rectory.
L.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Apr. 20
Hassett, Father Thomas
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
Hassett has Gayoso's letter of April 18 and five copies enclosed so that Hassett may direct the case to the praiseworthy end proposed by Gayoso.
L.S. Copy (Spanish)
Enclosures:
--------
1798 Apr. 13
Dupuys, J(osep)he
(Iberville, Louisiana)
to Laur(en)t Sigur
(Iberville, Louisiana)
Dupuys went to the home of the pastor to carry out the orders of Sigur and take the stranger quartered there. The pastor threw a piece of wood at his left eye so he could not carry out his duties as he could hardly get to Gareuil's house, his whole face being bloody with a wound at least one half inch deep beside his eye. He has the names of the persons present as witnesses and asks Sigur to examine Mecoler, Narcisse Ebert, Isaac LeBlanc, Senateur Babin and Ramon Pastore, a resident of Atackapas. He asks Sigur for advice so that in the future similar incident may be avoided as this is the sixth person he has taken from the pastor's house.
L.S. Copy (French)
--------
1798 Apr. 13
Sigur, L(aurent)
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to (Manuel Gayoso de Lemos
New Orleans, Louisiana)
Having learned that there was a stranger at the presbytery without a passport, Sigur ordered the syndic to send a corporal and two fusiliers to talk to the stranger and if he did not have a passport to bring him to Sigur. The pastor became angry at the syndic in the presence of four or five persons. Sigur sends the syndic's letter of complaint. He is an old soldier. Andres Lopez Armesto certifies that this is a copy of the original in the archives in his charge.
L.S. Copy (French)
--------
1798 Apr. 14
Capdevielle, Bernard
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Capdevielle certifies that Joseph Dupuis received a blow beside the eye with a wound two inches deep and a bruise over the whole cheek.
D.S. Copy (French)
--------
1798 Apr. 15
Sigur L(aurent)
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to (Manuel Gayoso de Lemos
New Orleans, Louisiana)
Sigur sends the certificate of the doctor who attended the wound of Dupuis.
L.S. Copy (French)
--------
1798 Apr. 17
St. Armand, Antoine
( )
to J(ua)n Carlos Massicot
( )
St. Armand sends, by two militiamen, a man who was arrested in Iberville without a passport. Massicot is to allow them to take him to the first syndic at Chapitoulas, (Louisiana) so that he can be at the disposal of the governor general as well as his papers which the same militiamen will give Massicot.
L.S. Copy (French)
--------
1798 May 14
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to Father (Thomas Hassett
New Orleans, Louisiana)
In compliance with the brief given over to the court in which it is stated that Castro mistreated Dupuis, Mangan has ordered Castro to go down to the capital at the disposition of the court, which he told Mangan he would do at the end of the festival and Rogation Days of this week.
A.L.S. (Spanish)
--------
1796 Apr. 23
Hassett, Father Thomas
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
Hassett orders that Mangan be notified of his decree (of April 20, 1798 which is quoted in full together with Gayoso's decree of April 21, 1798, both calendared above).
L.S. Draft (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 10
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Mangan, in compliance with the preceding communication of April 23 from Hassett, went to Iberville to receive the testimony of those mentioned in the letter in order to investigate the mistreatment of Josse Dupuy said he received from Castro. Mangan has asked the aid of the Commandant of this district, Fran(cis)co Rivas, a captain of the Infantry, by virtue of the preceding decree of Gayoso.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 11
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Mangan names as assistants Ipolito Landry and Josse Baben, residents of the district, who accepted the appointment. they sign as Hypolites Landri and Joseph Babin.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 11
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Needing someone who knows French and Spanish, Mangan names as interpreter, L(o)uis Dannequin who accepts and signs.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 11
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Josse [Josef] Dupuy appears and states his case (essentially as already given with the addition of) Juan B(aptis)ta Dupuy and two youths about 18 years old named Simon Baben and Marcelo Dupuy as witnesses. Not finding Castro at home, he with the corporal, Leblanc, and two fusiliers, Micoler and Hever, remained outside and seeing the man they were ordered to take with Ramon Pastor in the kitchen, they asked him if he had a passport. He said he did not but had his military permit. He said he was willing to obey but when the pastor came (Castro) said that this had nothing to do with the commandant and that it would be necessary to take the man to Rivas. Dupuy replied that those were not his orders. The pastor said that due to the "Alcadianos" he could have no one in his house without their taking them, to which Dupuy replied that Castro admitted prisoners or badly disposed men to his house, that this was the sixth he had taken from his house. The pastor became angry and threw a stick of wood at Dupuy. The wound in not yet entirely healed. Dupuy is 46 or 47. He signs with a mark.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 11
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Mangan asked Dupuy for the order from Sigur for the arrest of the man in Castro's house, which Dupuy handed over and Mangan includes in these proceedings.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Apr. 12
Sigur, L(aurent)
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Dupuis, syndic of the third quarter, is to take a corporal and two fusiliers to the presbytery as Sigur has been informed that there is a stranger without a passport there. They are to bring him to Sigur.
D.S. (French)
--------
1798 May 12
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Isaac Leblanc appeared and swore to (the same information as already given above with the addition that) Juan Baptis(ta) Dupuy (was) a brother of the syndic and Marcelo Dupuy his son. Leblanc is 34 years old.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 12
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Santiago Macoler, a soldier, appears as a witness and swears (to the same information as has already been given with the addition that) one witness (was) a Spaniard from Acatapas or Apelusas (and that) Rivas had been the commandant in Galveston and knew the man (to be taken by Dupuis). Macoler is 35 and signs as James M'Cullock.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 12
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Narsiso Hever, a soldier, appears and swears to (essentially the same information as already given above). Hever is 21 and signs as Narcis Hebert.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 12
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Senator Baben appeared and swore to (essentially the same information as given above). Baben is 22 and signs as Senateur Babin.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 12
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Mangan did not receive the testimony of Ramon Pastor as he had gone to Atacapas where he lived.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 12
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Mangan did not receive testimony from Juan B(aptis)ta Dupuy and Marcelo Dupuy because the former is the brother, the latter the son of Josse Dupuy.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 12
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Mangan did not receive testimony from Simon Baven [Baben] because he was a minor.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 12
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Bernard Capdevielle, doctor, appears and testifies that he treated Dupuy's wound once and that he did not consider it dangerous.
--------
1798 May 14
Mangan, Father Patricio
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Mangan concludes the proceedings he was ordered to make by the vicar general and send to the court.
A.D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 21
Hassett, Father (Thomas)
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
These proceedings are to be added to the case and the case is to rest until the arrival of Castro who is to be notified to come to the capital.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 14
Castro, Father Buenaventura de
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to Father Thomas Hassette
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
Castro received on May 13 the letter sent to Mangan, which Castro obeys as coming from his superior. He is weak because of his age of almost 60 years and ill because of much labors in serving this parish and Batonruges (Baton Rouge, Louisiana). 340 have fulfilled their Easter duty and this may reach 400. Almost all have offered to settle the quarrel. Castro does not have enough to make the trip without selling some of his effects. This has prevented his prompt departure. Therefore he asked Mangan to beg Hassett for a suitable time.
L.S. Copy (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 20
Hassett, Father Thomas
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Father Buenaventura de Castro
(Iberville, Louisiana)
Hassett had Castro's letter of May 14 and in spite of the reasons given for not coming to the capital, he is to do so immediately being under suspension from the receipt of this letter.
L.S. Copy (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 14
Gareuil, M
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to (Father Thomas Hassett
New Orleans, Louisiana)
As syndic of Dupuy's district, Gareuil has been asked to beg of Hassett to let their pastor continue as he is loved and respected. They ask that his going to the capital be suspended. J(osep)h LeBlanc, marguillier, J(ea)n(?) Laurent Henry, J(osep)h Henry, Joseph LeBlanc, Simon LeBlanc, Etienne Commo sign with Gareuil who adds in a note that they do not send more signatures because of lack of time and the distance.
A.L.S. (French)
--------
1798 May 18
Castro, Father Buenav(entur)a
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to Father (Thomas Hassett
New Orleans, Louisiana)
Castro begs Hassett to overlook his not going as soon as he received the order. His congregation detained him because they were persuaded he could not return because of his infirmity which they know is due to his labors for souls which in the absence of the pastor would soon fall away.
A.L.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 14
Dupuys, J(osep)h
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to Father Thomas Hasette
New Orleans, Louisiana
Having settled the difficulty between Castro and himself, Dupuys (Dupuis) asks Hassett to allow Castro to remain as pastor. Joseph LeBlanc, J(osep)h LeBlanc, marguillier, James M'Culloch, Joseph Babin, and M. Gareuil sign also.
A.L.S. (French)
--------
1798 Apr. 15
Castro, Father Buenav(entur)a de
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas?
New Orleans, Louisiana)
Castro informs (Penalver?) that du Puis is a bad Christian in that he denied promising before Father Luis (de Quintanilla, O.M.Cap.?) that he would instruct his family or send them to be instructed by Castro; he broke the feast days by allowing work to be done. So when he came to Castro's house, Castro became angry and threw a piece of wood at him. Castro repented the same day and asked his pardon before others.
A.L.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 29
Mangan, Father Patricio
Cabahonoce, (Louisiana)
to Father (Thomas) Hassett
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
Having met the governor general in the street, Mangan was commissioned to inform Hassett that he had received a testimonial from the inhabitants of Iberville in favor of Castro. Mangan informed Castro that he could stay in his parish until further orders. He did this to please the people thinking the affair would settle itself especially since Castro had done all possible to repair the scandal.
A.L.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Jun. 23
Hasset(t), Father T(h)omas
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Father Buenaventura de Castro
Iberville, (Louisiana)
On May 21, Hasset sent Castro the following letter: "Since Castro has not complied in coming to the city; Hassett demands that he do so without delay, repeating the suspension of his faculties." This is a copy of the letter sent.
L.S. Copy (Spanish)
--------
1798 Jun. 28
Gayoso de Lemos, Manuel
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Bishop (Luis Penalver y Cardenas
New Orleans, Louisiana)
In his trip along the border, Gayoso received the enclosed letter and solicitude of the inhabitants of Iberville for their pastor, and sends it to (Penalver) to determine what is fitting. It seems to Gayoso good for now to accede to their request but it would be good to remove him, if possible. (Penalver) notes on this letter on June 30 that this is to be added to the case and turned over to his vicar general.
L.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Jun. 30
(Penalver y Cardenas), Luis, Bishop of
New Orleans, Louisiana)
to Manuel Gayoso de Lemos
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
(Penalver) has given attention to the request of the inhabitants of Iberville and Gayoso's suggestion in his letter of the 28th. (Penalver) will keep a copy of it and of Rivas' letter and return the originals.
L.S. Draft (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 14
Gareuil, M
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to (Francisco Rivas?
Iberville, Louisiana)
Following a reconciliation between Castro and Dupuis, the residents have asked Gareuil, their syndic, to beg that Castro remain as their pastor. They beg pardon for their pastor who acted without malice and offer to pay for the case. Donat Ebert, J(ose)ph Leblanc, marguillier, J(ose)ph Leblanc, J(ose)ph Babin, James M'Culloch, Senateur Babin, Simon Alain, J(ose)ph Leblurre, Narcice Hebert, S. Richard, Jose Hebert, Simon Richard, Jr. sign with Gareuil.
L.S. Copy (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 18
Rivas, Fran(cis)co
Iberville, (Louisiana)
to Man(ue)l Gayoso de Lemos
(New Orleans, Louisiana)
Rivas is certain that Gayoso will accede to the plea of the inhabitants when he sees the enclosed letter (above). (Penalver) adds on June 29 that this is a copy of the letters he referred to.
L.S. Copy (Spanish)
--------
1798 May 21
Hassett, Father Thomas
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
to Father Buenaventura de Castro
Iberville, (Louisiana)
Hassett has Castro's letter of the 14th and despite the reasons therein, Castro is to come immediately to New Orleans, being suspended from his ministry from the receipt of this letter. Joseph Hamilton notes on this letter that he received it June 28 and delivered it June 29.
A.L.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Jul. 2
Hassett, Father (Thomas)
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
Since Castro has just appeared with the order of May 21 warning him to come to New Orleans which he says he received on June 29 as it appears from the receipt on the envelope by Jose Amelthu. Both are to be added to the case and Castro to be notified that he is to remain under arrest and suspension in the house of the pastor of the Cathedral. Father (Isidro) Quintero certifies this decree and adds that he notified Castro of it and that he went to the home of the pastor of the Cathedral, Father Ant(onio) Sedella, (O.M. Cap.), and arranged for the testimony as decreed.
A.D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Jul. 3
Quintero, Father Isidro
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
Castro appeared before Hassett and Quintero and swore that on coming out of his church he saw several people, armed, and with them his servant, Flores. (The rest of his testimony is essentially the same as already given with the additional information that Flores was the man Dupuis came to take). Castro signs this.
A.D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Jul. 4
Hassett, Father Thomas
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
Castro, pastor of St. Gabriel of Iberville, declared yesterday his readiness to suffer any penalty imposed. Since there is no irregularity, judgment is suspended and in view of the plea of his parishioners and persuaded that Castro has repaired the scandal, the only penalty imposed is one of spiritual exercise for nine days. If it is seen that he does not restrain similar outbreaks, he will have to suffer the consequences. He is reinstated in the exercise of his ministry. Quintero certifies this decree and adds in a note that he notified Castro who said he would comply exactly and who signs.
D.S. (Spanish)
--------
1798 Jul. 10
Bermudez, Fran(cis)co
New Orleans, (Louisiana)
Bermudez lists the expenses of Castro's trial; the amounts owed to Has(s)et(t), Mangan, (L)Andry, Babin, Quintero and Broutin are given.
A.D.S. (Spanish)
V-l-i D.S., L.S., A.L.S., A.D.S. Copies and Drafts (Spanish &
French), 90pp., 8vo., & 4to
39