Nash, James P., Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1862 January 1

The news is scant save that they have great hopes that Abraham Lincoln, the ugly fellow, is getting entangled in the meshes of John Bull in the Mason and Slidell affair which in all probability will take off the blockade, a part of the drama in which England is most interested. As to the Negro question England's sympathy is to the Northern side. He thinks Lincoln and his minions are disappointed and now find it impossible to conquer the South. There is nothing to be seen but a soldiery and he is almost tempted to say a mercenary one. 7/8 of them are of barbarian refinement, not as well trained as animals of the brute creation in Europe. The camps were called in from the prairie and placed in the vacant houses with a promise t not one cent will they pay. He let D. Howard of San Antonio have the Hill cottage at $20 per month. After five weeks he was removed to Houston and paid nothing. He placed a poor man in the Boylan house to keep the soldiers from going in. All the money he gets as rent is $12.50 from John B.Root, $10 for Boylan's and the one next. All his own are empty. Carried away by the panic like all other citizens, he sent eleven boxes of goods from the store to Houston and 4 to Brazoria where his family is at present. He has written for them to come back. Should business soon open again and any good family apply to Odin for information about business in Galveston, he would gladly rent the store together with the dwelling. He likes living at his country house better than to stay in Galveston, with his children. They are constantly expecting to hear of the arrival of the bulls in New Orleans and anxious to know who will be Odin's successor. Although the priests left to administer the religious affairs of the diocese are fervent and zealous, there is a vacancy felt. :: VI-2-f A.L.S. 4pp. 4to.