Our Catlwlic Heritage in Texas
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to the war of revolution."u The stage had been well set for the important decision. It is to be assumed that Timon and Odin went carefully over the petition introduced by Congressman Porter during the next few days while waiting for the Select Committee to refer back the petition and present a bill to carry out its intention. Charge d'Affaires de Saligny, a suave and accomplished diplomat, put all his influence, his graceful hospitality, and the irresistible delights of his festive board at the service of the Apostolic envoy in promoting the passage of a favorable bill. To Timon, the form in which the property should be restored was as important as the property itself, if not more so. Confirmation of the title to him as the Chief pastor of the Catholic Church in Texas would be tantamount to official recognition of the legal status of his office, giving him and his successors competency ih law to control, direct, and administer schools, hospitals, charitable foundations, and all other agencies established under Church auspices, independent of institutional boards, parish vestrymen and trustees. 46 Little wonder that Timon and his able assistant exhibited their best social graces during that last week of December in the series of dinners and receptions given by Saligny and Texan officials. Their pleasant conversation, their simple dignity, their versatility, and their general information all made a deep impression and won them many friends. "At the frequent dinners ... we came in close relation with the Presi- dent, the heads of departments, members of Congress," Timon wrote Etienne. It was not only at the dinner table that Timon and Odin won friends and dispelled unfounded prejudice. The Sunday after Christ- mas Timon, a remarkable speaker, lectured in the Senate chamber. "The room was crowded," he says. "I explained our dogma on Purgatory, on the Sacraments, and the saints. All seemed much pleased." That evening at a banquet given by Saligny "several of the most influential members of Congress,'' Timon noted, "openly spoke of their conviction that the Catholic religion had been grossly calumniated." Such was the favorable atmosphere when Congressman Isaac Van Zandt on December 28 reported the petition back to the House for first reading and presented a bill to carry out its purpose. Timon, Odin, and Saligny were in the gallery. The Bill was promptly referred to the 4Sfransoni to the President of the Republic of Texas, July x 8, x 840, C. A. T.; Burnet to Fransoni, December 24, 1840, printed in The Sentinel, Austin, Texas, January 9, 1841. UCf. Bayard, o,;. cit., 171.
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