Our Catlwlic Heritage in Texas
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settled along the Brazos with other neighbors. The two priests stayed among them until Epiphany, at which time Haydon set out on a visita- tion of all the settlements except Nacogdoches. He was agreeably sur- prised to find so many Catholics. Everywhere the faithful appeared to be delighted with the opportunity to renew their religious duties. He was extended the warmest welcome in Refugio, Victoria, and the scat- tered settlements along the Lavaca. He assured Bishop Blanc that two or three new churches would soon be ready for services. "I have seen the loveliest sights in some of the poor Texian cottages that I have ever seen in my life. The greatest innocense [sic] and exemption from gile [sic]," he declared, warning that such was not the case in the larger towns and cities like Houston and Galveston. Christian charity flourished most among the poor, he noted. Haydon regretted he had been unable to obtain from Bishop Blanc the Lenten regulations, but he declared that conditions on the frontier afforded little opportunity for the strict observance of abstinence. Most of the people were very poor and were reduced to a common diet of corn, beef, and coffee. While in San Antonio Haydon had obtained a much-needed chalice and set of vestments from San Fernando. He deeply deplored the saa situation existing there, but declared that the derelict clergymen were supported by only ten or twelve families. The new bishop, if and when he came, should take action at once, he said. "When the evils are once removed, all will rejoice. Many called aloud for it," he wrote, adding that all the Americans in San Antonio-whether Catholic or Protestant -and many of the Mexicans, were anxious to correct the situation. Speaking of the Mexicans, Haydon remarked that they were a very tractable people, and extremely loyal to the Church. The Sunday he was in San Antonio he said Mass and preached to a large congrega- tion, although only a three-hour notice of the service had been given. Generous offers were made to him as inducements to establish a school, but he avoided accepting them until an Apostolic representative came to Texas. It seems that the interest expressed in education by Navarro and Seguin to Timon a year before was general in the old outpost of Spanish civilization. After informing Bishop Blanc that Clarke was sick in Richmond, but that he planned to take him on his next trip, Haydon reminded Blanc of his promise to send a chalice. "Please pray for us and recommend us to the pious prayers of your Clergymen," he pleaded humbly. There could no longer be any doubt that these two
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