Alleau, Father Th., St. Brieuc, France, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1864 December 8

On arriving from Rome, Alleau wanted to tell Odin how satisfying his trip was. Pope Pius IX whom Alleau had seen five years ago seemed even more simple and affectionate. All the conversation revolved around affairs in America. Above all the pope desires peace. The pope said he had already written to the Archbishops of America but there were some who had not understood him; Archbishop John Baptist Purcell of Cincinnati is too much involved in politics and so was Archbishop John Hughes of New York. The pope granted a plenary indulgence to those who receive Communion and pray for peace and his blessing to those who contribute to the Christian education of those children whose fathers died in battle. The Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda told Alleau many things he cannot write about certain measures said to have been attempted by a pastor of New Orleans in the name of several of his confreres. His Eminence charged them very severely. Alleau has decided to not go directly to New Orleans but to go on to Mexico. However he will arrive in New Orleans in April. Alleau has not ceased to be devoted to Odin; he is as disinterested as he was a year ago. :: VI-2-h A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.