Odin, Bishop John Mary, San Antonio, Texas, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1857 August 23

Odin received Blanc's letter of the 11th. He has not yet received the letter from Propaganda which accompanies it. Odin is grateful for the prayers of thanksgiving Blanc said for the protection God gave Odin when he fell into Lavaca Bay. Odin does not see how he kept afloat so long. Father Napoleon Joseph Perché 's illness really troubles Odin. The Ursulines of San Antonio lost one of their Sisters and two of their students in one month. Sister St. Louis, R.U. had been brought up in the convent at Galveston and had made her novitiate at San Antonio. She had had consumption for over a year. The Sisters called Father Claude M. Dubuis on July 21 to administer the last sacraments. One of the students was baptized a few hours before she died; the other was a Catholic for 2 or 3 years. The new church at San Antonio was blessed last Sunday. The old church was much too small. Odin plans to stay several months for instructions. The Irish priest who assists Dubuis is not good in the pulpit and Odin would like to accustom the English speaking people to come to the new church. His decision to stay here at least until November will prevent Odin from coming to New Orleans. However, if Blanc thinks it is necessary to supervise the printing of the decrees of the Synod, Odin will come. All the western part of Texas is in deep misery. The drought has destroyed everything. Corn sells at 2½ piastres a bushel. Many families have left. Odin has given up visiting several places. It is impossible to find food for a horse in many districts of the west. :: VI-1-m A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.