Bouchu, Father Francis, Medina, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 July 29

He has arrived from Santiago and he is finally convinced that a chapel will not be built there; the people are colder than ice. Since Christmas, Juan Rodriguez and Antonio Sequin have had charge of collecting the subscriptions, but they have not yet collected a cent. They do not merit a priest. In January he bought all the wood necessary for the chapel and a suitable house for $50. Since then the deed of donation for Mr. Speth's land was signed by Mr. Gray and his wife and registered, but everything ended there. There remains $50 of the $100 which Odin gave for the chapel and he wonders if he ought to give it to Father J.A. Faure or use it for the chapel at Carmen which is being repaired. Drawing enclosed. The people of Carmen are ten times poorer than those on the edge of San Antonio but their small subscriptions are effective. Not having money, they are giving animals sufficient to cover the cost of the bell tower. However the $50 would help in regard to several things for which he cannot give animals in exchange. If Odin does not agree he hopes that he will persuade Father Louis C.M. Chambodut to help him. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.