Odin, Bishop John Mary, San Antonio, Texas, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1853 October 10

Odin has just received Blanc's letter of the 1st. He will attend to the contribution for Dr. Levi Silliman Ives and on his return to Galveston he will send what he can get together. Yesterday Odin closed the retreat for the Ursulines here; it is a fine community. They have 20 boarders and nearly 100 day pupils. Odin will leave in a few days for New Braunfels to give Confirmation next Sunday. Then he will go to Goliad, Victoria, Halletsville, and Frelsburg. He can scarcely get to Galveston before November 15 or 20. If the Nuncio, Archbishop Cajetan Bedini is expected at New Orleans, around that time, Blanc is to let Odin know. Might he visit Texas? In the course of the last 6 weeks, Odin has lost 5 priests and a subdeacon, Fathers J. Dixon, J.C. Metton, Edward Hug, O'Driscoll, Baudrand, O.M.I. and Mr. Bayard ?, all died of yellow fever. In fear of the epidemic which ravaged New Orleans, Odin had written to have all the students and the priests not necessary for the ministry, leave Galveston. His letter was not received until a month after he had sent it. :: VI-1-f A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo. 10