De Armas, Octave, Spring Hill, Alabama, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1864 November 21

Odin will no doubt recall that on De Armas' departure for exile, Odin promised that if ever De Armas found himself in straitened circumstances he was to have recourse to Odin, who would loan him from 500 to 1000 piastres. He has almost used up the resources he brought with him and asks Odin to advance him 500. A letter of credit with Bishop John Quinlan? would perhaps be best. Madame E.B. could help by her knowledge of ways to communicate with De Armas. Although separated from him, they keep up with the news about Odin. They live here amid spiritual consolations and temporal privations. His little family consists of his wife, his niece, her husband and four little children. They are living at Spring Hill under the auspices of the Fathers at the College. Together with the John Fréret, Babylus and Victorin La Branche families they make up a little Louisiana colony joined on Sundays by some friends from New Orleans. For some time De Armas has spent part of the day at Mobile in a position which is not very lucrative but conforms to his working habits. ` P.S. As for their political position, their hopes revive as their human resources seem more lacking. ` On the back of the letter: To be sent to Madame E.B. :: VI-2-h A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.