Anstaett, Father Joseph, Galveston, Texas, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1866 April 25

A good woman here wishes to leave 1000 piastres in her will to St. Joseph Church. He knows from experience that that is "fishing in troubled waters". Since she has done more than her duty to her only relative in Europe, may be he can suggest another way than by her will. She has loaned her money at 10% on mortgages. She could transfer these to Bishop Dubuis or Anstaett. She is 65 with no relatives in this country and no children or husband. She could still collect the interest as before. Times are not bad here. Hyacinthe de St. Cyr has given business in Galveston an extraordinary stimulus; he is a genius. Odin is to ask Father Rousselon's successor to send a half-cask of Mass wine. P.S. He is teaching the altar boys plain chant and needs books, he asks Odin to send him a half-dozen. :: VI-2-k A.L.S. French 4pp. 12mo.