Aubert, Father Henry, New York, New York, to Archbishop Anthony Blanc, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1858 July 5

They at last arrived in the Empire City after 2 weeks of travel. On leaving St. Louis from where Aubert wrote to Father Rousselon, they went to Chicago . There he saw Bishop Duggan, coadjutor and administrator. The town is full of activity. If it progresses in line with its stores and port, it should improve the railroad from St. Louis to Lake Michigan; it is one continuous bump. But what fertile plains, what a sea of prairie! In Chicago Aubert saw Fathers Michael Lyons and William Edwards who talked of New Orleans with interest and perhaps regret. Both are at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus, destined to be the cathedral. From Chicago they went to Niagara Falls going through Detroit without stopping. They stayed at Niagara two days. It would be? a good retreat for Father Rouquette. They went down the St. Lawrence with an Indian as a pilot. They also went over Lake Ontario. Montreal is an old and new, beautiful and ugly, city. The Church of Notre Dame is not up to its reputation. St. Patrick's is not very pretty but St. Roch and Notre Dame de Bon Secours are magnificent. Bishop Ignatius Bourget has a fine white head of hair and is very affable. They have had no news of Father F.J. Cénas for four months here or at New York. Quebec was too near to pass by, a five hour ride on the railroad. Wherever one looks, there is a grand sight. From Montmorency Falls, 7 miles from the city, on an elevation called Beauport, one sees the old citadel. And the people, what love for France and repulsion for England. From there they went to New York via Lake Champlain and the Hudson River. They arrived yesterday; Aubert has not seen Father Lafont and the Bishop is absent. Today they celebrated Independence Day. In 2 or 3 days they will take the southern route and Aubert expects to arrive at the end of the month. P.S. Regards to Father Rousselon, Father Maenhaut, and the priests of the house. Aubert did not think he loved New Orleans so much. :: VI-1-o A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.