Lowe, Esther W.P., Ashland, Virginia, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M. Odine, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1861 November 12

Her husband, ex-Governor Enoch Louis Lowe of Maryland, herself, and eight children are now refugees and dare not return until the independence of the Southern Confederacy is recognized or until the fate of Maryland is decided. Her mind and inclination lead her to Texas. As Catholics they are desirous to settle near a church and to have Catholic associations. Her husband's health is not the best and he would prefer an active life. She wonders if they could make a living by grazing, if San Antonio is free from the incursions of the enemy, if it is likely to be unmolested by Indians, what parts of Texas he would recommend as most healthy, whether they would be obliged to purchase land or whether it might be hired, and the price of land around San Antonio or some other agreeable location. Their means at short notice are not vast, hence the necessity of investing it safely and advantageously. In Richmond everything is enormously high, prices being of double value. :: VI-2-e A.L.S. 2pp 4to.