Odin, Bishop John Mary, Calveston, Texas, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 May 26

Several days ago Odin received a letter from the Chief Justice of El Paso County asking him to send to the Archbishop of Baltimore, his thick letter which accompanies this one. Odin believed it was useless to brother Archbishop Kenrick with the affairs of this corner of the country and that it was better to send it to the Metropolitan of their province. It seems there is trouble in the part of Texas served by Father Antonio Severino Borrajo . Recently some one sent Odin a newspaper in which there was a severe article about him. Odin has little trouble in believing that Borrajo is little fitted to administer a mission where there are Americans such as are found on the frontier of Texas. Odin has written to Rome to find out how he should act in regard to that portion of Texas which the Bishop of Durango, Mexico considers as part of his diocese. Odin received a reply which leaves him still uncertain; he can no longer consider El Paso County as part of the diocese of Galveston. Rome was to write to the Bishop of Durango and Odin is waiting for new directives. It would be difficult to deal with Borrajo on this point as he is a little too stubborn. Father Claude Marie Dubuis plans to make a trip to Europe on family affairs. Odin expects him day by day. Father Louis C.M. Chambodut is on a tour on the Shreveport side, and Father P.F. Parisot, O.M.I. along the Sabine. A storm on May 2 again ruined the roof of their church; this time Odin will use shingles, he cannot trust the tin. He must soon resume his trips across the country; he thinks he will again visit the Rio Grande valley. The Sisters of the Incarnate Word are succeeding very well at Brownsville; they have 60 pupils. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate are also well satisfied. Father Louis Dufour spent a week with Odin and left for San Antonio. His health was not very good. He plans to visit several parts of the country before returning to Louisiana. :: VI-1-e A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.