Bonniot, Father J.M., Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, France, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1863 April 11

Bonniot expected to see Odin again at Aix-les-Bains on his return from Rome in order to take the priests who were preparing to follow him. One of the assistants at Aix informed Bonniot that Odin had written from Lyons. Bonniot hastened to write the pastor in order to forward the statue of the Holy Virgin which Odin had entrusted to him. Odin no longer found in him the young, active, and elegant priest whom he had led into holy orders thirty years ago, but a sexagenarian who can no longer trust to the sails to rejoin him. Odin knows that at their college of the Barrens he was not able to put aside anything for the future. He had this advantage only in Louisiana and these fruits he placed in the hands of Archbishop Anthony Blanc who never ceased to forward the pension to him very regularly. Upon the death of Blanc, he received a letter from Father Stephen Rousselon assuring him that his life annuity would be paid. In January he received a letter from Paul Rousselon, writing for his uncle, asking if he wished to receive his annuity despite the enormous reduction of letters of exchange caused by the war in the United States. He hastened to reply that he needed it. In writing to the pastor of Good Shepherd he did not forget the invitation which the latter made to Felix and Bonniot in Odin's presence. His reply was cold. Odin can see that his future secretary is already initiated into human miseries. Felix's health, under the care of Mr. Davet, who has just been named mayor of Aix, is getting better. In their walks they have met Odin's Negro from the hotel several times and the latter never ceases to ask about Odin. Bonniot hopes that one day Felix will bring Bonniot's heart to Odin to be placed in a corner of his sanctuary. Now he will let Felix address Odin himself: It is with great pleasure that Felix helps Bonniot who is weakened by infirmities. It is a great pleasure for him to have made the acquaintance of Odin who deigned to fix his regard on him for his future in the sanctuary. He hopes that some day his health will permit him to conform to Odin's desires. The more he studies the clergy of France, guided by Bonniot whose lessons he has enjoyed for almost 10 years, the more he sees in Odin the true type of ecclesiastical spirit. In order to receive his annuity Bonniot gave his address to Paul Rousselon as the Archbishop's of Chambery, care of Father Dunand, chancellor for Cardinal Alexius Billiet. Bonniot's address will be Aix-les-Bains until October. :: VI-2-g L.S. French 4pp. 4to.