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Scope and Contents Last Thursday, Odin closed the retreat for the Sisters Ursulines . Today the last novice made her profession; there are 13 white veils and 2 postulants. The Quebec house made them a fine gift in the two Sisters Odin brought; they are two valuable subjects. One is mistress of novices and the other, of classes. The two young postulants give fine promise. They need more pupils. The two priests Odin sent to the Rio Grande have been very well received by the people. They speak especially of Mr....

Scope and Contents When Bishop John Baptist Lamy was leaving for San Antonio, Odin promised to let Blanc know some ideas he suggested to Lamy. Seeing Lamy set out alone toward his Vicariate with the intention of making a short appearance there and then leaving almost at once for Europe, Odin could not help but say that, in his place, he would not have wished to go to Santa Fé unless accompanied by six to 12 zealous priests. Lamy will find, in New Mexico, some scandalous men and a public, especially among the...

Scope and Contents Odin must send back the German priest whom Bishop John Baptist Purcell gave him. During the first month, his conduct was regular enough; the Germans were delighted and he was very useful, but unfortunately he cannot surmount his leaning toward liquor. Not being able to keep him here any longer, Odin has asked him to go to the Trappists. What is most frightening is that he seems to lack faith. Odin does not think he will present himself to Blanc but thought it good to warn him. :: V-5-m...

Scope and Contents Father Emmanuel Domenech, C.M. must go to France to settle family affairs. Odin gives him permission. Perhaps he can bring some new missionaries; Odin needs at least 12 new priests. A considerable number of villages are being formed along the Rio Grande and most of the people seem to be Catholics. A few days ago Father J.A. Jacobs, an old German priest, died of cholera at Indian Point. The nearest priest, at Victoria, did not arrive in time to give him the last sacraments. Odin leaves Monday...

Scope and Contents He wishes Blanc a happy New Year. The two young Irish postulants will leave tomorrow to go to the Ursulines of New Orleans. Madame Ste. Claire, R.U. has consented to receive them. Odin has not yet received a reply from Rome for the letters he sent last July. Cardinal Fransoni's long silence embarrasses Odin greatly. Many new towns are springing up on the Rio Grande. They ask for priests but as Odin fears to usurp a jurisdiction which does not belong to him, he does not send them. Bible...

Scope and Contents He wanted to write when Father Mariano Maller, C.M. left but did not have time. He received Blanc's letter of the 8th. Mr. Matton has not appeared here; Odin hopes he has given up the long trip he was thinking of. The news from California is that anarchy is harrassing the people. More than 800 are returning to the United States. Odin wants to attend the Council and make the trip with Blanc but he does not know if his purse will permit. He received a letter from Mr. Choiselat informing him...

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Odin thought he could leave today for New Orleans but Father John Lynch, C.M. had another attack of fever last night. Lynch would like to leave with Odin so he will delay until next Monday when The Globe leaves. The Sisters Ursulines will finish their retreat Sunday morning. P.S. If Lynch is not well enough, Odin will leave next Monday without him. :: V-5-i A.L.S. French 1p. 4to.

Scope and Contents Their crossing was short; 44 hours after leaving New Orleans they were in Galveston. He found there Father Schneider and Father P. Ogé ; the latter returned from Houston and the interior of Texas. He hopes both will stay in the country. All the lowlands are covered with water; it has rained for 3 months. The cotton crop could not be saved and they expect a scarcity of money. The number of Catholics has grown a little during Odin's absence; some have come from the United States and Europe. ::...

Scope and Contents Odin is sending Blanc the letter he wrote to Cardinal James Philip Fransoni in support of Blanc's request for a coadjutor. He was so ill when the Neptune left that he could not write when he should have. Father John Timon was the main support of the Congregation and it will be very difficult to replace him. On the Other hand he will be a great help in the midst of Blanc's troubles. Mr. McElroy died at Victoria soon after his return to Texas. Father Eudald Estany, C.M., who came to make his...

Scope and Contents A trip into the interior and the duties of Easter time kept Odin from writing. Easter Communions were considerably more than last year. Father John Timon, C.M. promised Odin a priest and not only has he not sent anyone but he has not replied to numerous letters Odin has written. If Blanc writes he is to remind Timon that Odin cannot carry the burdens of this mission alone. His health is affected and the impossibility of going to the different places he should visit overwhelms him more than...

Scope and Contents Father Joseph Paquin, C.M. gave Odin the letter Blanc wrote him. It is useless to tell Blanc how agreeable it was to have these two coworkers come. He also sees with joy that Blanc is busy with the founding of an Ursuline house in Galveston; all the rich are in favor of religious communities to educate the young people. Odin finds much less prejudice here than in Missouri. He can at the moment offer the Sisters only 10 acres of land. While he cannot furnish a large sum for buildings he will...

Scope and Contents Odin received Blanc's letter of August 25. Blanc's troubles afflict Odin greatly. Who would ever have believed that the trustees would push their insolence so far? No doubt the excellent choice Blanc has made to fill the important post of his cathedral is displeasing to the devil. Odin had a bilious fever for ten days but feels his strength returning every day. The jubilee has produced some fruit at Galveston; however there are many Catholics especially among the French, Italian, and Spanish...

Scope and Contents They spent a disastrous night. For several days the wind from the east was so strong it pushed the tide up into the streets. Last night the wind changed to the north and caused great damage. All the buildings on the bay were considerably damaged except two; today the street are impassable. Odin's church was moved ten feet off its foundation. Fortunately no one was killed. His house stood up well against the storm. His means do not allow him to build a new church; after this disaster he...

Scope and Contents Odin has just arrived from Houston. He finished the jubilee exercises last Sunday; however the confusion which reigns throughout the country is a great obstacle to good. He intended to preach the jubilee along the Brazos but the rains during 3 or 4 months make the roads impassable. He has learned with much regret that the trustees of Blanc's cathedral have begun again to cause him trouble. Odin would like to be able to attend the future council in Baltimore but he has received no reply to...

Scope and Contents Odin introduces William C. Byrne, a Catholic merchant of Galveston and a particular acquaintance. He will probably need to leave in New Orleans a box containing some gold and silver and Odin thought that Blanc or Father Stephen Rousselon would do him the favor to take charge of it. Some weeks ago Byrne advanced Odin $100 for which he gave Byrne a draft on Rousselon. Odin has heard that Rousselon was no more in New Orleans. If the draft is as yet unpaid, Blanc would oblige by advancing the...

Scope and Contents Odin is back after more than 5 months spent in visiting the greater part of the west of Texas. Seeing Catholics and Protestants flocking to his addresses proves to him that there would be an abundant harvest if the number of priests was greater. Since January 1st the number of confessions heard is 2774, Communions 2507. On September 12 Odin placed the corner stone of a new church at Castroville on the banks of the Medina, 24 miles from San Antonio. It is a charming place where Mr. Castro...

Scope and Contents Odin received through Father John Timon the letter and supplies Blanc sent. Timon's visit gave him great pleasure. Unfortunately he could not stay long. Odin hopes to come to see Blanc next month. It is finally decided that he will make the trip to Europe; he must have priests. Timon will tell Blanc of Odin's embarrassment at the letter of the Bishop of Strasbourg in regard to Father Ogé . Already deceived by several adventurers the Germans received Father Nicholas Stehlé and Ogé with...

Scope and Contents Odin arrived at Houston and has received Blanc's letter. He thanks Blanc for his good advice in regard to Father Ogé ; Odin expects him any day. A Protestant woman whose husband was killed has 2 small children; she wishes to place them in an asylum. Could Blanc have them admitted to the Sisters' asylum? The mother wants to have them brought up in the Catholic religion. If Father John Timon is still in Louisiana, will Blanc give him the enclosed letter? Odin has great need for Timon to send a...

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By this new letter? of exchange, the one of December 4, 1849 not being paid. Rousselon is to pay Father Louis C.M. Chambodut $250 and charge it to Odin's account. This paper is endorsed on the back by Charles Chevallier, Chambodut, and W.W. Barret :: V-5-m A. Letter of Exchange S. 2pp. 12mo.

Scope and Contents Theodore Eugene? Giraud gave Odin Rousselon's letter and all the news. He is sending the first exchange for 8519 francs; will Rousselon negotiate it as soon as possible. The demands of his poor priests are so urgent. He would like to draw on Rousselon at the next trip of the boat for 4 or 500 piastres. He is to keep the balance. He received a letter from Bishop John Timon . He promised to come to Galveston around the beginning of November. The consecration of the church will be put off to...

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He agrees his letters of exchange have little chance. Rousselon's letter put him in great embarrassment; he has need of money. Suddenly Providence took him out of a cruel perplexity. Mr. Blossman, hearing of it though Mr. Giraud, wrote that he would accept the draft. For almost 6 weeks his leg has kept him from traveling. The sad news from France afflicts him. The details in the Delta about the death of the Archbishop of Paris made him weep. :: V-5-j A.L.S. French 3pp. 4to.

Scope and Contents Odin asks Rousselon to send him by the "Merchant" the life of St. Theresa in Spanish. He will find it in one of the boxes Odin left at the Bishop's house. The Mexican keeps asking for it fearing that he will die before reading it. The fever which Odin had for almost a month last year has shown up again; he is a little better. He has not concluded the jubilee exercises; perhaps this will give more time to prepare for receiving the Sacraments. In his last letter to Bishop Anthony Blanc Odin...

Scope and Contents Odin received the package Rousselon sent; he has already begun to say the Masses. He read the first numbers of the Propagateur Catholique with interest. Rousselon is to register Odin's subscription as well as that of Peter J. Ménard. He will pay when he goes through New Orleans toward the end of March. News from the western part of Texas is very sad. Since the withdrawal of the Mexicans, a large number of Texans have gathered at San Antonio, with a view of carrying on hostilities on the...

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Odin has learned of the death of his young brother at Lyons. They have asked Odin for a power of attorney in order to settle the inheritance. Odin sends Rousselon the package containing it; Rousselon is to stamp and send it by way of New York. He will reimburse him next spring. He sends his respects to Bishop Blanc. There is nothing new in Texas to interest Rousselon. :: V-4-m A.L.S. French 2pp. 4to.

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A copy of the faculties granted to Quérat, signed by Odin. Quérat adds on October 12, 1886 that he copied these faculties which were approved by Odin who was not rich enough to have them printed. There were only 16 priests for the whole Texas :: VI-1-i D.S. Latin 3pp. folio

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Odin is back in Galveston, but bothered by rheumatic pain. A good French woman who lives in Galveston wants to send 200 francs to her sister, Miss Mariette Detour. He asks Rousselon to get a money-order payable to Detour, and send the change from the two $20.00 checks back to him. :: VI-2-b A.L.S. French 1p. 12mo.

Scope and Contents He has learned that P. Rotchford has not yet returned from Europe and as there is a financial crisis he begs Rousselon not to press his representative too much for the note which he has sent. He has drawn it for 10 days in the future in the hope that Rotchford will arrive in time to honor it. Father Louis Chambodut arrived Sunday morning and gave him Rousselon's letters; in a few days he will send him the money for the wine. In the last 2 or 3 months he has received many letters from Rome...

Scope and Contents He incloses $900 in payment of Father Claude Dubuis ' last note to the estate of Father J.M. Mignard for the new church of San Antonio . 18 months ago he sent $500 and last year $1100 for a total of $2500. This is the amount Mignard loaned to Dubuis on the following conditions: 1 no interest, and 2 repayment when convenient. Part of this sum was in the hands of a man from whom Mignard was never able to obtain a cent. Without Dubuis' great prudence in handling the affair it would have been...

Scope and Contents Father Cella has started back to New Orleans. The post which Odin had Father Anth Verrina offer him is on the Rio Grande and considerable distance from Galveston. Father Claude M. Dubuis arrived at Galveston last Monday and leaves for San Antonio on thursday evening. Odin hopes that Rousselon has received the $900. Despite the distress of the times he is confident that P. Rotchford will try to pay him. As soon as he finds a favorable occasion Odin will send the money for the wines. The times...

Scope and Contents He has received Rousselon's letter of the 24th but has not received any other letters from Rome on the succession and believes that it has not yet been decided. Bishop Thaddeus Amat was not on any of the lists and he doubts that the Holy Father intends to name him motu proprio. Perhaps one of the Archbishops proposed him. He does not understand clearly the nature of the dispensation which Rousselon has requested. A ratified but non-consummated marriage is automatically dissolved by the...