Giraud, Father J.M., Madisonville, Louisiana, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1863 August 11

Everything is going well. Giraud's health is very good. This is the fourth time that he has toured the parish. He visited the families on the Bita, and the upper and lower Tangipahoa, as well as Chapopeela. He had numerous Communions. He remained at Chapopeela for three days. Men and women fulfilled their obligations. Someone came from Cote Francaise to ask him to go say Mass there. He baptized 20, blessed 2 marriages and administered to 2 sick persons. They urged him to return there before leaving. He has still one neighborhood about 15 miles above Covington on the Bookfalaya. On his return if he finds an opportunity he plans to go to New Orleans. Bishop Claude Mary Dubuis, C.M. must be expecting him. Long ago he asked about communications between New Orleans and Matamoros but the reply was that they did not know. As he was told that there was no sickness in New Orleans, he sees nothing to prevent his going there. It is said that Mr. Blanc's schooners come often to Bonfouca. Giraud will be there from the beginning of September. They consent to let him leave only if Odin sends another priest. A family of Tangipahoa became Methodist because, they said, the Catholic priest did not come there often enough. One of Odin's pupils must be especially destined for St. Tammany. From the 18th to the 27th he will be at Mandeville, from the 27th to September 9 at Bonfouca. ` A.L.S. French 2pp. ` Enclosure: