BLANCHET, Augustine Magloire Alexander, R. C. bishop, born in St. Pierre, Quebec, in 1797. After his ordination, in 1821, he performed missionary duties in various parts of Canada. He was canon of the cathedral at Montreal when he was nominated to the newly created see of Walla Walla in 1845. He reached his diocese in 1847, accompanied by four oblate fathers and two secular priests, and labored among the Indians for about a year, but with little success, owing to troubles among the natives. The see of Nesqually was erected in 1850, to which he was transferred the same year. He took up his residence at Fort Vancouver on the Columbia, where he built a cathedral, and also erected Churches at Olympia and Steilacoom, on Cowlitz river, and among the Chinooks. The Catholic population of his diocese had increased to more than 6,000 in 1853, when the territory of Washington, which included the see of Nesqually, was organized. He resigned his diocese in 1879, owing to failing health. During his mission he erected twenty-four Churches. He founded Colleges at Vancouver and Walla Walla, several institutions conducted by the sisters of mercy, and flourishing Indian missions at Fort Colville, Yakima, and Tulalip.