Odin, Bishop John Mary, Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 January 6

He has just received Blanc's letter of December 29. He rejoices to see that the Holy See proposes to aid them in collecting a little subsidy. He believes also that it is fitting to ask that the Pope assign them one tenth of the revenue from all the missions confided to secular or regular priests, without distinction. Thereby they would know the revenue of each place which would help in administration. Odin asks Blanc not to wait for their first provincial council to regulate so important a point. The Ursulines of Galveston need to enlarge their house, or to begin, little by little, a monastery conforming to their rules. They have saved almost 2000 piastres. This sum is not enough for the first undertaking which seems to be the boarding school. They are obliged to turn away boarders every day. They could easily repay a loan at reasonable interest. There is not a single capitalist in all Texas. Mr. Cassiano loaned Odin all his funds for the Broth rs of Mary for whom Odin built at San Antonio. Does Blanc know some one who could loan them 4000 piastres. Odin thought of approaching their Sisters at New Orleans but did not dare. He has begun his seminary. All his young people live with him. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate are charged with their direction. Odin teaches a class in Spanish which both teachers and students must attend. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.