Anstaett, Father Joseph, Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 July 20

Anstaett promised to keep Odin informed about the new building for the Ursulines. Mr. Hussey has finished. John De Young is laying the roof. The total disbursed by Odin before his departure was $2509.14 and by Anstaett until this morning, $2909.74. During Anstaett's absence they thought of digging a cistern of 15,000 gallons. Hussey contracted with Mother St. Pierre Harrison, R.U. for $376. Anstaett would have been thankful if Father Louis C.M. Chambodut had prevented it. The mason came yesterday and Anstaett told him that there was no need for the cistern at the moment, that it is too difficult to get the money, and that a cistern having at least double the capacity would be required. The mason went to tell Mother St. Pierre that Anstaett wished a cistern two times bigger and she approved it. He went to stop Hussey from continuing it until he has Odin's advice. All is well at the convent. When the blockade began he told Mother St. Pierre what to do in regard to the children and she had them write to their parents that the distribution of prizes would take place later. Capt. James Alden of the South Carolina only confiscates the boats he can catch and turns them into ships of war. Colonel Sheldon's advice is that the South Carolina has much powder and cannons. Anstaett wonders if Alden could bombard Galveston, or if he will receive reinforcements with orders to take Pelican Island and the customs house. He also wonders what General Earl Van Doren will do. The general has not yet arrived and it is said that he is sick at Eagle Lake. Their 2,200 men are very reduced. The upper class families are no longer in the city. The merchants are selling quickly. Calm reigns in the city. There is much drumming and trumpeting and many reviews. The regulars do good service at Fort Pelican and the fort at the east end. There is an excellent regiment of German Tourneurs from Houston behind the convent. The volunteers make patrols and mount the guard. The middle classes are not very afraid. The religious have confidence in God. The troops of San Rosa Island are dying quickly. He went to Washington to look at a two story brick house offered without charge by Dr. Heard in case of necessity. :: VI-2-e A.L. French 4pp. 12mo.