Odin Bishop John Mary, Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1854 March 25

This letter will be brought by Father Michael Sheehan whom Odin has given permission to make the trip to New Orleans: Sheehan has succeeded with much difficulty in having a church built at Austin, the capital of the state and he wishes to acquire a bell, candlesticks, and other articles he cannot find here. Sheehan, besides the mission at Austin, has charge of visiting the military posts of Austin on the frontiers of the country. The soldiers have been the greatest benefactors of the church built at Austin. After Easter, Odin will send Father Antoine Borias to Beaumont, a little town some distance from the Sabine. He will settle there to take care of quite a number of creole families. Father Peter F. Parisot, O.M.I., who already knows these people, will accompany him. If Blanc thinks it good, they could spend one or two weeks among the people on the frontier of Louisiana in the direction they are going. Parisot preaches well in French and English. The new Bishop Thaddeus Amat of Monterey is to visit Matamoras at the beginning of the summer and wants Odin to go there at the time of his visit. Odin will try to get started as soon as he can after Pentecost. Father John Maurice Casimir Verdet, O.M.I. , who has seen Amat praises him highly. This poor frontier of Mexico needs such a pastor; what reforms to make in that sad country. Thieves entered the church at Brownsville and took the tabernacle with its contents, the ciborium and monstrance. The next day it was found broken, with the Sacred Species thrown here and there in the mud. :: VI-1-g A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo