Odin, Bishop John Mary, Galveston, Texas, to Bishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1849 March 18

He wanted to write when Father Mariano Maller, C.M. left but did not have time. He received Blanc's letter of the 8th. Mr. Matton has not appeared here; Odin hopes he has given up the long trip he was thinking of. The news from California is that anarchy is harrassing the people. More than 800 are returning to the United States. Odin wants to attend the Council and make the trip with Blanc but he does not know if his purse will permit. He received a letter from Mr. Choiselat informing him that the allocation for Texas is 7645 francs, about $1400. The mission expenses were $4090 last year. How can he pay his heavy debts and provide for his priests? If he decides to go to the council he will leave after Easter and try to be in New Orleans some time before April 22. The sad fate of the Misses Stephenson afflicted him greatly especially when he thought of the embarrassment he caused the Ursulines. They had discovered no sign of insanity. He is going to write to the Sisters at the hospital at St. Louis to ask them to take them. He had written to Sister Regina Smith, S.C. but it seems that the house for the insane has been transferred to another part of the state. He will also write to Father Dowley, who sent them from Ireland. V-5-k - A.L.S. - French - 2pp. - 4to. - {7}