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among old acquaintances, and to see that they had lost none of their faith and primitive piety." All welcomed the opportunity to receive Holy Communion. 36 Odin in Austin. Odin set out from the Lavaca settlements on Novem- ber 26 for Austin, where he arrived three days later, and put up at Mr. Thompson's. The next morning he visited French Charge d' Affaires Saligny, whom he had met during his stay in New Orleans. The French- man seemed happy to see Odin and insisted that he stay in his house. During the next few days, led by his amiable host, the Vice-Prefect visited some of the Catholics in the new capital, attended the debates of Congress, met many of the members of that body, and was a guest at several parties and dinners given by Saligny, who enjoyed enter- taining the rustic Texans and delighting their taste with the delicacies prepared by his accomplished chef from Paris. Saligny became from this moment the self-appointed sponsor and the most ardent supporter of the Church in the new Republic. He presented two or three acres of land to Odin for a church, convent, and school, and helped his guest in the purchase of several lots located on Cedar, Lavaca, and Colorado streets. Encouraged by the ready response he found everywhere, Odin opened a subscription on December 11 for funds to build a church. Three days later he was agreeably surprised to note an item in the Gal- veston paper stating that Prefect Timon, accompanied by Father Stehle, had arrived in Galveston. This was the first intimation he had of Timon's presence in Texas. A whole week was to elapse, however, before the two veteran pioneers of the Faith would meet again. 37 Timon's second visit to Texas. Ever since the departure of Odin in July, Timon had been planning a second visit to Texas before he went to Europe to make a personal report of the needs for the reorganization and development of the Church in t~e Republic. He had delayed the contemplated trip chiefly because he lacked the necessary funds. A letter of Cardinal Fransoni requesting him to deliver greetings from Rome to the Government of Texas in person had reached him in October, This made his visit imperative, and fortunately coincided with the re- ceipt of a letter from Nozo, authorizing him to draw on Saint Lazare for fifteen thousand francs. He began preparations for his trip to Texas early in November but he was unable to inform his faithful lieutenant of his intended visit because of the unreliability of the mails. · 3 6 /bid., entries for November 13-27, 1840; Odin to Etienne, April 11 1 1841, C. A. T. 37Qdin, Diary, entries for December 14, 21, 1840.
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