Tlee Vicariate, 1841-1847
The ardent plea of Timon was admirably supported by the record of achievements in Texas, which Odin had sent to Etienne on April 14, 1841. 9 Such a record was eloquent proof of Timon's argument in favor of retaining Odin in Texas. But to make certain, Timon, who planned to go to Europe in July, made a special visit to Archbishop Eccleston in Baltimore to plead the case. That he was successful is disclosed in his letter to Blanc, written four days before Timon sailed from New York. "I rejoice that he [Eccleston] seems to concur with me ... and wishes, if possible, to obtain the nomination of another person." 10 Odin's return to Texas. Meanwhile, after taking leave from Timon in St. Louis the first week in May, Odin returned to New Orleans by May 18, and nine days later sailed for Galveston. 11 Another two days saw him back in Texas to resume his labors as Vice Prefect and to await the final decision of Rome on the Detroit appointment. In the short space of two months conditions in Texas had taken a turn for the worse. Everywhere there was talk of war. Hostilities with Mexico had never formally ended, since no peace treaty had been nego- tiated with Mexico after San Jacinto. The occasion for the war hysteria was the recent return of Judge James Webb, who had been sent to treat with Mexico but who had been refused admission. This action was considered an insufferable insult by the Texans. Indignation meet- ings were held and there was talk of conquering all Mexico. Texas was the most powerful nation in the world, it was confidently asserted, and should teach Mexico a lesson. Ominous war clouds darkened the horizon. Not everyone shared the optimistic views of the more belliger- ent. Families were abandoning their homes in fear of an invasion. More persons seemed to be leaving than entering Galveston.u Hard times were everywhere evident. Money was as scarce as ever. The little church in Galveston, fifty by twenty feet, the foundations of which had been laid with great difficulty, was making slow progress. It had, in fact, come almost to a complete stop. Nails, window panes, paint, oil, and white lead were needed. Odin had to give Doctor Labadie $100.00 to make continuance of the work possible. 9See ante, page - . 10 Timon to Blanc, June 4, 1841, Notre Dame Ardiwes. In his letter of May 10 to Fransoni Timon stated he expected to be in Europe by July. 11 Bayard states that Odin took leave of Timon in St. Louis on May 18, but Odin says in his Diary that he boarded the Meteor at St. Louis for New Orleans on May 8 and that on May 18 he said Mass in the Cathedral at New Orleans. Cf. Bayard, op. cit., 237; Odin Diary, entries for May 8 and 18, 1841, C. A. T. 12 Odin to Blanc, July 8, I 84 I ; Odin to Timon July 16, 1841, C. A. T.
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