Gaudet O.M.I., Father Augustine, Brownsville, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M. of New Orleans, c/o The Superior of the Grand Seminary, Lyons, France, 1862 August 16

As Father John Gonnard has just sent a sealed letter to Father Peter Parisot, O.M.I. to forward, by way of Mexico, to Father Duplay, Superior of the Grand Seminary of Lyons, he takes advantage of the occasion to give Odin news of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. The war aggravates their sad situation from day to day. Soon their area, so populous a few months ago, will be no more than an arid desert. However, they expect that everyone will recross the river before the end of the year. Religion is beginning to exercise its salutary influence. There is beginning to be sickness and it has already taken Brother George, O.M.I.. Of New Orleans and the seat of the war, they know absolutely nothing; they are sometimes several weeks without mail from Corpus Christi and Galveston. However, he received a letter from Father Louis C.M. Chambodut upon the latter's return from New Orleans. Gaudet expects Odin will be astonished not to find him in France. He waited for a long time but received no answer to his letter to Odin asking the time of his departure. On the other hand, circumstances were not very favorable to leave from Brazos. Also, fearing sickness, he believed it would be better to remain since several of the others have not yet had the plague and will probably be visited. Odin should send them a bishop promptly. Lately, he received, by Chambodut, a letter from P. Rotchford informing him that their small deposit was still intact, but the future still makes Gaudet tremble. It would be very sad to lose this small sum designated for the building of a house for the Brothers. Gaudet has already bought a magnificent block and they already have over 700,000 bricks. They are still waiting for letters from their superiors. He thinks the Mexicans are intercepting theirs. If Odin wishes to give them news he should write in a double envelope to Dr. José San Roman at Matamoros. All the Sisters of the Incarnate Word are well and the school does well for the season. :: VI-2-f A.L.S. French 2pp. 12mo.