Chalon, Father Gabriel, New Orleans, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M. of New Orleans, Lyons, France, 1862 July 30

Twice the high hills of the great river have seen their bases and their summits enveloped, sent apart by the thunder of thirty dark clouds, and twice the storm has dissipated as if they were not in the season of squalls. There is no news or no good news. The ships which had left for Vicksburg have returned. Vicksburg is still where it was three months ago. There is still great distress. The notes of the State, payable at Baton Rouge, are no longer legal tender. There is no sickness. The heat is atrocious; the river is down considerably. Father Stephen Rousselon was indisposed for a week. Father Angelo Mascaroni busies himself with atmospheric changes, and bells when they sound fires. Father Amédée Béccard scratches his chest and mews several times, and Chalon looks at his barometer so as to be able to tell Cambiaso if there will be a storm. Father Napoleon Joseph Perché has struck the Freeman's Journal two gentle blows in order to teach it not to say ridiculous things when it wishes to make compliments. An opportunity awaits, should the Southern Pilot make its appearance, to pick a bone with freeman's for some expressions similar to these: There is now piety and strictness of living ... with thousands, whose previous conduct was anything but according to the precepts of the Catholic Church. They have with them Father Joseph Michel Paret: he sends his respects. Chalon wonders if the Paris doctors haven't cured Odin's neuralgia. He thinks Father Claude M. Debuis, C.M. is going to drink the waters the Morrill tariff, he believes, is going to throw them all into the water; all right if the water of the Mississippi cured nervous afflictions, but it does not even cure thirst in July. Next week, he will write to Dubuis. :: VI-2-f A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.