Chambodut, Father Louis C.M., Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 July 12

He intended to answer sooner but it was so warm, the times were so bad and there was so much to do. He has little news and that Father Louis M. Planchet can give him in person. He asks Odin to persuade Planchet to change his mind about leaving the mission. Last week he blessed the flag of the Zouaves and afterwards he had scruples. He wonders how he ought to act in the future. Father Charles Padey is in good health and speaks often about returning to France. He has not been at Liberty although his sister Sister Marie Thérèse Chambodut, R.U. has had a serious relapse. The Ursuline Convent grows rapidly. He just received a letter from Father _____ Hardy who asks to come to Texas. He had written to Odin five or six months ago but he had told Chambodut to write him not to come. He wishes Odin to persuade him to remain where he is. Father John J. Magee wrote June 17 that the people at Corpus Christi had received him well and had subscribed well on to $1000 in lumber, brick, work and money to build him a house. He said that Father Antoine Borias had just left and that he was living with the son of Mr. _____ Parnassus ?. Father Augustine D'Asti O.F.M. and Father John Gonnard went to the mission at Austin and from there as far as San Antonio. It appears that Mother Felicitas wishes to leave New Braunfels. The Franciscans invite her to Houston or Harrisburg. Father Nicholas Feltin at Spring Creek, Gonnard at Hidalgo, Father Victor Gury and Father Peter Tarrillion at Frelsburg as well as Mother Felicitas write him to find out what he thinks. Before saying anything definite he wishes to know what Odin thinks. ` N.B. Father James Giraudon seeks a dispensation from the first degree of affinity between Jean Ortis and Maria de Jesu Fariat?. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. French 4pp. 16mo.