Dubuis, Claude Marie, Bishop of Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1865 February 10

Only twice since seeing Odin has Dubuis received Odin's letters. The first announced several letters among which was a balance of the funds at the Propagation. These letters confided to Mr. Wolffe never arrived. The second received via Father Augustine D'Asti, O.F.M. contained the figure of 12,097 francs. He has just sent two letters of exchange for the amount of all the business Odin has administered for them. He has notified Adolphe Certes to continue the correspondence in the interests of the Mission of Texas. After a wait of several months for Odin's advice Dubuis had to pay $2300. Today no one can claim a farthing of interest on the foundations Odin made. As for the remaining deposits, including the amounts of Quirk and Maume, all he could glean amounts to $4000. He is not speaking of the Ursuline Convent of San Antonio for the one at Galveston credits them with 5000 after a gift for the poor children of $770. With this the house entirely recovered. The day scholars are very numerous. The rains made them fear the loss of the Cathedral already miraculously saved from the fire which leveled the whole block of the Journay establishment. Dupuis sent to Houston for iron bars to bring the arch of the Virgin's chapel back into place. The ravages of war have opened the eyes of people wrapped up in material things and many conversions have shown how prejudices have disappeared. Houston has felt, in a lesser degree, the religious movement which produced excellent results at Liberty under the direction of Father John Neraz with the aid of Father John Champin. Nacogdoches, Marshall, Clarksville, Dallas, Madison City, Polk and Trinity have been visited by Father Thomas Hennessy for a year. Dubuis sent Father John Gaillet to join him in August and the two are not enough. The Catholic population has increased a hundredfold. Father John B. Bellaclas is at Hildalgo and each month visits Whelock?, Anderson, Plantersville and Navasota. Dubuis visited Austin and found enough to make a good congregation. At Belleville he administered Confirmation to 46? Brazoria, Richmond, Alleytown and Colombus are without priests. He is thinking of sending Father Peter Berthet. Father John Forest is at Halletsville and Father Joseph Martinière is at Brushy. Louis Chaland, too young to be ordained, teaches Latin to Daniel Mitchell and his catechism for the servants. Father Peter Richard is devoted to the Germans; he does very well with Father August Gardet at Victoria. Father Joseph Quérat us ib the missions all the time. Father John Bigat at San Patricio and Father John Gonnard at Corpus Christi are edified by the zeal of their pastor. Father Mathew Sarry, Father Anthony Faure and Father Amandus Kramer? will remain at San Antonio and for the missions, Father Francis Bouchu, Father Andrew Farges, and Father Stephen Savoye. Father Stephen Buffard is chaplain for the Ursulines and Father Joseph Anstaett chaplain for those at Galveston. Dubuis will pass over the house in Liberty in silence; Father Theodore Buffard will give details on Brownsville in person about his much tried Community. It was much shaken last year; classes were deserted. This year the trial fell on Galveston but a word to Fathers Louis C.M. Chambodut and Anstaett sufficed and instead of 10 day pupils, there were 80. Brother Joachim, F.S.C. alone since the death of Brother Ezéchiel, F.S.C. struggles against solitude while teaching his 50 externs. The College of St. Mary, San Antonio, directed by Brother Andrew Edel, S.M. could not be more flourishing. All the newly ordained priests have been welcomed in their missions. Only one, frightened by vastness, Father Emile Chappolard, arrived at Laredo but soon returned to New Orleans. Nathan Smith and James P. Nash wish to be remembered to Odin. Mary Nash is in the last stages of consumption. It is almost a month since Dubuis appealed to Odin in favor of Bernard Tiernan to whom they owe $500. Dubuis gave him a draft for this amount. If he is taken prisoner in running the blockade, he will present the check; otherwise he will return. :: VI-2-i A.L.S. French 4pp. 4to.