Gaudet, O.M.I., Father Augustine, Brownsville, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 November 7

The Oblates of Mary Immaculate have not had any news from France since April and it is impossible to get news from Canada. By the last mail they received a half-sheet of the "Propagateur Catholique" and they are glad to learn that Odin is well. They are also all well. The Sisters of the Incarnate Word lost a lay sister in September but she had consumption for a long time. The Sisters' school has had a large number of day students and their treasury has increased to nearly $800. They have 16 boarders. The Oblates are reduced to naught by the war. Prices have tripled since April. However one can live on bread and corn and they are abundant this year. Their neighbors in Mexico are sunk more than ever in great and little chicaneries. Not knowing how to carry away the church, they thought of taking and silencing the bells. It seems that too often these bells remind them of their sacrileges and of death and judgment. Now, carried away by an ex-governor of Tamaulipas, they announce only the victories of the Liberals which are becoming rare. The Governor-elect of Tamaulipas will arrive to occupy his post only with arms in hand. Tampico, Matamoros, Reynosa, Camargo, etc. have pronounced against him. Already Reynosa and Burgos have been punished in a fine manner and in a few days will come the turn of Matamoros. The families are leaving in crowds. Manuel Trevino, whose family is at Brownsville, has charge of this job. It is he who took Reynosa after seven hours of combat; he is only a few miles from Matamoros. Now, they themselves need only some of Lincoln's ships at Brazos and they will be between two fires. Fortunately they have been well enough guarded for several days. Six companies of volunteers from San Antonio have arrived to join the rangers camped on the plain of Palo Alto. He hopes Odin received his two letters in reply to his proposition. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.