De Neve, Father John, Louvain, Belgium, to Archbishop John Mary Odin, C.M., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1866 May 9

He received Odin's letter of December 18. His delay in answering was to find out more about the students who are not yet registered for a diocese. He has two Belgians in Philosophy, but one has very poor health and the other wants the Indian missions. There are seven Germans and he might be able to promise two or three of them but he would like to know whether they must also know French. Expenses rarely go above $250 a year. De Neve believes that he might give Odin 2 theologians if something was paid. De Neve has received the draft for $293. He is happy to learn the good news about Father John B. Bogaert and Father Francis Ceuppens ; a little letter from them which De Neve could publish would do good in the diocese of Malines. Father Constantine Maenhaut has not yet come to the seminary. Enclosed is a letter to be sent to Father Charles Lemagie. De Neve will await Odin's reply before making a decision. Odin promised only board and room and wanted the students to know the three languages; at present De Neve could not give him that. :: VI-2-k A.L.S. French 3pp. 12mo.