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8 December 1843 — Bishop Pierre Bataillon to Father Victor Poupinel, Wallis

From the copy, in the handwriting of Charles Mathieu, the postscript (§11) autograph, APM OC 418.1.

Sheet forming four pages, three of them written, the fourth bearing only the address and Poupinel’s annotation.

[p. 4]

[Address:] France - Sir - Monsieur l’Abbé Popinel, priest of the Society of Mary - Montée Saint-Barthélemy - Lyon

[In Poupinel’s hand:] Wallis, 8 December 1843 - Bishop Bataillon

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[p. 1]

Wallis, 8 December 1843

My Reverend Father,

[1]

I thank you for the shipments you have sent me, which have arrived in part with Bishop of Amata, safely in port. I hope that the rest will likewise arrive soon with the three other missionaries.

[2]

Having been on the spot for a long time and knowing the needs of the mission, I am going to submit to you briefly my ideas on the use of the funds that will be allotted to us by the Propagation of the Faith.

[3]

1. Since we are far from all communication and unable to procure, even with money, clothing, fabrics, tools, remedies, and other objects for ourselves and our neophytes, it would first be appropriate to use part of the sum for the acquisition of these various objects. I believe that one must not economize too much on the quality of these objects. For ourselves, we need strong and light cassocks - cloth is unbearable in this climate - trousers likewise, shoes, health flannels, thread stockings for the missionaries who may need them, and linens, since perspiration is continual and one uses many of them. Above all, I beg you, do not forget the Brothers: some household items. It would be good for the departing missionaries to be amply provided with clothing and objects for their own use, all in well-made cases and protected from damage. For the natives: calico and fabrics in pieces or in blouses. All Wallis is now approaching the holy table. It would be very fitting for them to be decently dressed for so holy an action. The natives are better judges than people in France think. If one gives them fabrics of poor quality, they say that one is mocking them. Something very simple but good is needed, such as calico, linen, printed cotton. I would say the same to you for tools such as axes and knives. It would be good for the knives to have a large, non-folding blade.

[4]

2. I have noticed that health suffers greatly from the total privation of bread and wine. I think that another part of the sum should be used to procure for us this relief, which is almost indispensable for several. Give money to the departing missionaries so that they may procure a small provision of it while passing through Tenerife or Valparaiso: the wine in bottles and the flour in barrels.

[5]

3. I must also keep a certain sum here, either to procure aboard ships or at Valparaiso the things that might be lacking to the mission, or to have myself transported from one place to another in order to visit the different points, or to save toward buying later a small ship absolutely indispensable to such a mission.

[6]

I was forgetting to tell you that, as new churches are being raised every day, proper, simple, solid, and well-made ornaments would also be needed, in boxes where they can be safely stored and easily carried.

[7]

Some simple medical books or doctors’ notes for the application of remedies.

[8]

I am obliged, my Reverend Father, to give you a very brief outline of my ideas for the use of the funds. Weigh them and submit them to the judgment of the Father Superior.

[p. 3]

[9]

The ship that brought Bishop of Amata is going to depart at once. I have been overwhelmed with occupations for the last eight days, not expecting such an event. I hope to be able to send you fuller details at the next opportunity. You have already done much for our mission. I can only beg you always to occupy yourself with it with the same zeal and the same activity. In this way you will have the greatest share in our feeble labors.

[10]

Please accept, my Reverend Father, the assurance of my most affectionate sentiments in Our Lord.

+ Pierre Bataillon, Bishop of Enos

Vicar Apostolic of Central Oceania

[11]

Postscript. I regret, my Reverend Father, that I could not write this letter in my own hand; my occupations during the few days the ship remained here absolutely prevented me from doing so. I hope to obtain this satisfaction at the first opportunity.

+ Pierre Bataillon, Bishop of Enos

Textual Notes

• §1: The edition notes that “in part” was inserted above the line.
• §3: The edition notes that “economize” was inserted above the line.
• §4: The edition notes a correction involving “another.”
• §11: The edition notes that “hand” was inserted above the line.