Gaudet, O.M.I., Father Augustine, Brownsville, Texas, to Father Stephen Rousselon, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 March 10

At last he has received a letter from Marseilles announcing the departure of three Oblates of Mary Immaculate for Brownsville from Havre on February 3. They will soon be seeking hospitality from Rousselon. He seems to remember that the last arrivals stayed 54 days with him. Father Gabriel Chalon, he thinks, has told Rousselon that Bishop Joannes Francisco de Paula Veras of Monterrey and his suite are at Brownsville, having arrived last Tuesday. He is happy to give hospitality to the venerable exile whose presence will be very useful. The Bishop believes that he can return to his diocese soon but Gaudet thinks this is an illusion. The Bishop speaks of going to say mass for all of Mexico at Matamoros, but he thinks the ceremony will have to be held at Brownsville. Thus their church has become a cathedral and their home a palace despite its poverty, and in a few days it may be in ruins for the soldiers have not withdrawn with their cannons which for several weeks have been loaded to the muzzle. He has just received a letter from Marseilles dated January 29 which says that their very old Superior-General has received the last rites. He asks Rousselon to pray for him. He encloses a copy of the letter no enclosure and asks him to communicate the news to Father Chalon and Father Napoleon Joseph Perché. :: VI-2-d A.L.S. French 2pp. 8vo.