Anastasie, R.U., Sister, Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 September 14

She writes to him as Secretary of the Ursuline Chapter as directed by Mother St. Pierre - Margaret Harrison, R.U. to inform him of a strange thing. Two months ago Father Louis C.M. Chambodut, desiring to withdraw his sister from Liberty, asked Mother St. Pierre if they would receive her. Mother St. Pierre assembled the chapter and they agreed because it did not seem suitable to allow a professed religious to dwell in a secular house when there was a convent, and they even added they would admit her if she recovered her health after a suitable testing period. Chambodut was satisfied and said if obstacles prevented her reception he would take the first good occasion to make her return to France. Last Tuesday he left for Liberty and returned Thursday morning with Sister Marie Thérèse Chambodut, R.U.. They waited all day in vain which gives a very poor idea of her vocation. The next day Mother St. Pierre wrote Chambodut that the chapter, having consented to receive his sister to avoid scandal, she felt relieved of her promise by her conduct and that he should keep her until he could place her elsewhere. She also said that since he had dispensed her from such an important rule without a legitimate reason she would always fear that he would dispense her from many others. Chambodut came at once and requested the revocation of the decision. Mother St. Pierre called the council, two voted for and two against. Mother St. Pierre voted against and went to tell Chambodut that it was impossible to take back that which had been written. Although she voted for indulgence, she is satisfied with Mother St. Pierre's decision. She asks him to pray that those nasty ships of war will allow them free passage for their elections in October. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.