Gaudet, O.M.I., Father Augustine, Brownsville, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 August 22

Last Monday the Oblates of Mary Immaculate sang a solemn service for the repose of the soul of their founder and Superior-General, Bishop Charles Joseph Eugene de Mazenod, O.M.I.. There were ten priests and two brothers around the catafalque. Only Father Jean Marie Gayé, O.M.I. remained at Matamoros in order to guard the parish. Although they expected this news, the blow was felt. He supposes that the time has already been fixed for a general chapter. Their poor mission will be prevented from sending any representatives by the blockade. He hopes Odin received his last letter in reply to his favorable proposition and that he found a way to forward the enclosed letter to France. It contained Odin's proposition. Every day Brownsville loses people. The Mexicans are frightened of their ragged volunteers who are going to end by becoming ungovernable. These poor young men are exasperated by the state in which the Confederation leaves them. ` P.S. He has just learnt that the French, the English and the Spanish are going to blockade all the ports of Mexico until the debts are completely extinguished. It is about time that an end was put to that miserable Republic. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.