Poup0005

23 November 1839 — Letter from Victor Poupinel to Emmanuel Eveillard

Translated by ChatGPT, January 2024

According to the draft, APM 2276/11650; summarized in EG, no. 11; edited in CS1 doc. 102.

Poupinel responds here to Eveillard-Colin's letter of November 15. Throughout seven pages, Eveillard highlighted the advantages of having a French consul in New Zealand, a position he hoped to obtain. He also mentioned a project for the deportation of convicts to New Guinea and invited Colin to offer the services of the Marists to the deportees.

Ad majorem Dei gloriam et Dei genitricis honorem

Lyon, November 23, 1839

Sir,

[1]

As our superior is very busy, he entrusts me with responding to you on his behalf, which gives me even more pleasure as it was almost agreed that I would write to you. Firstly, sir, I must tell you that the interest you show in the affairs of New Zealand has brought much joy to our good superior. Yesterday, we sent our report to Marshal Soult, trying to do it according to the advice you gave us. Thanking for the protection granted to the missions by state vessels, we justified the great usefulness of a consul, whose presence will be a continual safeguard for missionaries and Catholics against the constant attacks of the Methodists.

[2]

Just yesterday…

[summary]

[in the margin]

To Mr. Eveillard, in Paris.

11.— Lyon, November 23, 1839.

[3]

To announce the dispatch of the previous report to Marshal Soult and the context in which it was made, as well as the letter to Archbishop Internuncio[?], especially to secure a consul in New Zealand. Mr. Eveillard was requested not to speak or make mention of us in the newspapers. It was suggested that, if the government made the request, there would be no difficulty in taking charge of New Guinea, provided the Holy See and Archbishop Pompallier agreed.

Signed: Poupinel, secretary.