Hillaire, Father Émile, Royville, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 June 11

He had hoped for a letter or mandate from Odin announcing his arrival at their mission but his hopes have been disappointed. Although he saw Odin once at the seminary at Lyon, he does not know him. However he knows that his nomination was desired by the bishops of the United States and the most esteemed priests of New Orleans. In France he always had the consolation of a bishop whom he could venerate as a saint and love as a Father. He hoped this at least would follow him. He found himself thrown without direction and without compass into a mission which could not be without thorns. But his need is now satisfied: in a few days he will expose to Odin what he has done and what he hopes to do, his fears and his desires, and he will receive the advice, blame or encouragement which he needs. :: VI-2-d A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.