Girard0304

10 January 1844 - Bishop Guillaume Douarre to Father Jean-Claude Colin, New Caledonia

Based on the dispatched copy, APM ONC 418.1.

Five sheets, the fourth and fifth being “Bath” paper, sewn with white thread, forming twenty written pages. Poupinel's annotation appears on the twentieth page. In the letter register, ED 1, it bore number 139. The end of the present letter is dated 10 January 1844, but it was probably begun before the arrival in New Caledonia on 21 December 1843.

[In Poupinel's hand:] New Caledonia, Port Balade, 10 January 1844 - Bishop Douarre

Jesus, Mary, Joseph

Confidential

My Reverend Father,

[1]

If my letters have so far been of relatively little interest, that will no longer be the case, because I shall probably have many things to tell you: some consoling, and others that will probably distress you. A son must open his heart to his father, and it is in this capacity that I shall tell you everything I have seen. By the time you receive this letter, you will have learned that I left some of our gentlemen behind. Providence serves us better than we deserve, because the ship that will carry them will be useful in making the various changes required and will at the same time be able to transport certain provisions which, I would say, are indispensable.

[2]

The mission of Tonga-Tabou holds great promise, but it requires missionaries of almost supernatural virtue, and many will be needed unless measures are taken to preserve them. One's heart bleeds at the sight of their destitution. The excellent Captain Laferrière, seeing the extreme poverty of your children, was himself deeply distressed. For trousers they have garments resembling sacks, made from their bedsheets. They have no shoes. Father Grange is reduced to one pair of boots. Brother Atale has been without a hat or shoes for three years. Father Chevron is now somewhat better provided for, thanks to his relatives. Do you know how they live? Not like the islanders, who have fruit in abundance, but much worse, since they have virtually nothing except what the local people do not want, or fruit they feed to their pigs, such as papaya. They do share some meals with the Kanaks, but those meals are insufficient, and yet they cannot prepare others. They are not permitted to kill a pig and obtain a little fat; every local person would claim the right to take whatever suited him and leave the missionary only what he did not want. It is difficult to escape this situation without placing the mission in danger. Bishop Bataillon could remedy it, but he did the same thing at Wallis, and how could he correct such a habit? It seems to me important to pull them out of this mire. For that purpose, he would need to spend several months in Tonga, especially since the mission would benefit greatly from his presence. This would also prepare the way, because Tonga is the Paris of Polynesia. Once this archipelago had been converted, the others could be undertaken with less difficulty, since people from many different islands, including the New Hebrides, are found there. But once again, the mission must be placed on a different footing. I doubt that other missionaries after Fathers Chevron and Grange could endure it. Even so, I do not believe that they will have to suffer much longer. Their health is completely ruined. Had proper measures been taken, this is precisely when they could have rendered the most outstanding services, since Father Chevron speaks the Tongan language perfectly. That good Father is certainly not a man to complain. I wish, Father, that you knew him personally. Driven to the final extremity, he was compelled to speak. Well then, how do you suppose the foundation was made, and upon what resources could they rely? They had fifty francs, which they still possess, and not a single article for barter. When he protested, he was told that if the inhabitants did not undertake to feed them, they could not be left there. What was the result? Two-day fasts, apart from a little fruit they tried to gather while dragging themselves along. Your heart will bleed, Father, and yet I have understated the truth. I shall not finish my letter yet, because I still have to tell you about the episcopal consecration ceremony, which I hope will take place in about ten days.

[3]

The breeze is favourable and we are making good progress. Before allowing you to rejoice, however, I must distress you further by what I have to say concerning the Brothers. Many are needed. In some respects they would be even more useful than the missionaries themselves. But you must also take care to instruct every missionary individually, and the superiors above all, to treat them as other selves and not as servants - or worse, to say no more. Bishop Bataillon is not beyond reproach in this regard, probably because he does not know that in our mission they are one with the Fathers and receive the same care. Good Brother Atale could no longer endure Wallis, where he was frequently treated harshly without hearing a word of encouragement or kindness. These details are more painful for me than they will be for you. My role should not be that of an accuser, but it is important that you know everything. Father Mathieu will write to you, and it is likely that he too will give you some details. You can, Father, and must put matters in order. The future of the mission depends upon it. Enormous sums are spent transporting missionaries, yet just when they could render service, they will be lost because they have been allowed to die from hunger and destitution.

[4]

Another thing I must tell you is that we need extremely lightweight cassocks. They may need to be somewhat heavier in New Zealand because of its latitude; one need only look at the map, and there will be no difficulty about that. As for money, we shall need some, particularly because a schooner will be necessary before long if you do not wish to leave us to die of hunger. But we also need articles for barter: knives, especially fairly large, non-folding knives of good quality; saws, which are also very valuable; shovels, spades, pickaxes, and so forth. That is what we need. I therefore congratulate myself on the purchases I made. If anything troubles me, it is that I did not make them more extensive. Nevertheless, we are fairly well supplied in this respect. The missionaries need sufficient clothing and many pairs of shoes; they are unanimous about that. Speaking of the missionaries, I do not know whether I have told you that it would be desirable for their house, if not to be isolated, at least to be surrounded by an enclosure within which they could occupy themselves without being exposed to observation. Speak, Father; command, if necessary, and you will be obeyed. Your children cannot be sacrificed in this way, and their distance from you only makes them dearer. All the gentlemen accompanying me are well, as are the Brothers.

[5]

As I continue my journey, I shall also continue my sad account. I had resolved to wait until Wallis before continuing my letter because I fear you may be unable to read my writing, the ship's rolling preventing me from writing as I would wish. Nevertheless, I cannot resist the desire to speak with you at length. After telling you about the sufferings of your children, I must also console you by describing everything they accomplish.

[6]

They are in a stronghold called Pea, a village of two or three thousand souls. They are temporarily lodged in a chief's house, arranged as follows: an open vestibule resembling a shed, with a small room at each end for each missionary. The furnishings consist of a table and several reeds upon which these gentlemen sleep. As you can see, it is a rather hard mattress. Beside this dwelling they have a small kitchen and, as their battery of cookware, three pots that they use to make herbal infusions for the local people. They also have a very small garden in which vegetables grow perfectly, and even vines. They have one vine, planted eighteen months ago, which will produce grapes within a month or two at most. With labourers, an order from you, and a few tools, the missionaries' subsistence could be assured. It is feared, however, that the Protestants might use this against them, and that exaggerated fear will destroy everything. In Tonga, they could have as much land as they wished, and land producing two or three harvests each year. Maize grows perfectly there. With that, they could raise as much poultry as they wished, and so forth.

[7]

You will find me very concerned with material matters. What can you expect? I am a bishop and consequently obliged to concern myself somewhat with these things. Cabbages grow very well, as do onions, celery, and so forth, all from cuttings. Fig trees thrive perfectly. It would therefore be easy to improve the position of our gentlemen, but once again, orders must come from you. People think of winning souls for the present and forget the principal matter, which is the consolidation of the work.

[8]

The church at Pea is magnificent. It was built by the islanders, both catechumens and non-believers. It is made from bamboo, but possesses rare cleanliness and elegance. I wish I were a painter so that I could send you a representation of it. The Protestant temple is built in this style; I visited it. It does not, however, approach the church at Pea. I had the happiness of officiating there. The recollection and singing of these good islanders would have drawn tears from your eyes. Nothing could be more touching than this spectacle.

[9]

We visited almost all the chiefs of the island. The commander of the Bucéphale, Monsieur Laferrière, gave them several gifts on behalf of the King. I added something myself, so they were delighted. We did not even exclude the chief of the Protestant stronghold. They dined aboard and, after drinking some French kava, which is rather better than that of Tonga, the Protestant chief - whom our visit had probably embarrassed somewhat because of the ministers - opened up a little. He said to the other chiefs, or rather to the two Catholic chiefs who had dined with us: “We are not sufficiently educated to know on which side the truth lies. It would nevertheless be good if we had some means of discovering it, and if the Catholic missionaries and the ministers met.” “But whose fault is that?” the two other chiefs asked. “Our missionaries visited yours, who did not even return their visit and always hide when they approach.” The chief acknowledged this. The presence of a warship, and of the second one that will visit us shortly, would benefit the mission. According to the ministers, our gentlemen were men cast up by the sea, the dregs of society, so to speak. The Methodists' strictness and the fines they impose will also work in our favour. Would you believe that they practise public confession?

[10]

The great king of the island has permitted me to receive missionaries in his stronghold. As for himself, he said that he was already too old to change, but that he would allow these gentlemen to act and would take care of them. Father Chevron is loved by Catholics, Protestants, and non-believers. His name is widespread and known throughout the islands of the Tongan archipelago. Our gentlemen are still far from the number of Protestants, which amounts to about five thousand. If God preserves them, it will not be long before they not only reach this number but also unite the entire population beneath the same standard. Being no friend of exaggeration, I am telling you what I have seen. I shall even tell you that the principal Protestant minister, though perhaps not a man of great ability, is an honest man according to worldly standards. I shall resume my letter at Wallis, but for fear of forgetting, I ask you not to communicate it to the Council of the Propagation of the Faith. I shall write to those gentlemen myself. Although I shall tell them approximately the same things, I shall remove what concerns the Brothers, the Bishop of Enos, and everything else that must be known only to you. I had forgotten to tell you that when Monsieur Laferrière asked a chief what he wished him to say to the King of the French, the chief replied that he was to convey his friendship and that, to demonstrate his gratitude, he would take good care of Father Chevron and asked the King to be so kind as to leave him among them. This chief is still a non-believer. To forget nothing, I must tell you things as they occur to me. I would ask for a certain supply of bottled Bordeaux wine. It is impossible for every missionary to do without it. I specify Bordeaux because it keeps better, and bottles because they are of great value in the country. With them, one can obtain pigs, chickens, yams, and the rest. Nor should you economise on cassocks. A merino blend would be very suitable. The missionaries must be properly dressed because, even if they do not make ceremonial visits among the islanders, they do make them aboard ships. Their trousers should be suitable as well. Low-cut cassocks are thoroughly inconvenient. Short cassocks are not very useful to us; we need some, but only a few, because the full cassock distinguishes us more clearly from the Protestants.

[12]

Bishop Bataillon's consecration took place with all possible ceremony in a newly built church, the Church of Saint Joseph. Mary presided over the celebration; the statue made by Father Roudaire had been placed behind the tabernacle the previous day. There was a great crowd, everyone having hastened there from different parts of the island. The king, the chiefs, and several officers of the Bucéphale, which had been cruising outside for four days without being able to enter, attended the ceremony. It would have been still more imposing if the ship had been at anchor, because more sailors would have attended and twenty-one cannon shots would have been fired during the Te Deum. The commander, Monsieur Laferrière, was greatly frustrated by the constant contrary winds. I presume that His Lordship will give you fuller details of the ceremony and tell you of the consolations he experiences at Wallis. So that I may refrain from speaking of them at greater length to you, I shall describe them to the gentlemen of the Council of the Propagation. I shall merely tell you that it would be desirable if Christians everywhere were as fervent. If only you could visit them; how greatly the sight would rejoice your heart! This does not mean that there are no failings amid so much good. Tu'ungahala has not yet been baptized because he cannot separate from his wives. Since he has great influence on the island, his obstinacy may rightly give cause for fear. The king himself, although baptized, is not perfect in this regard and continues to live with his wives, but I believe he causes little trouble. The commander saw all the chiefs, received them at his table, and gave them gifts. However devoted a missionary might be, he would not have accomplished as much and probably would not have shown as much graciousness. The officers and sailors conducted themselves perfectly, so His Lordship has nothing but praise for them.

[11]

At last I resume my letter in order to complete it in New Caledonia.

[13]

I do not know, Father, whether you were aware of the arrangements Bishop Pompallier had made concerning Wallis. Instead of finding His Lordship there as superior, as I had expected and as seemed quite natural, we found Father Viard performing those duties, which he discharged with every possible kindness and prudence. He is going to leave with us to rejoin Bishop Pompallier, the Bishop of Enos not having thought it appropriate to oppose his departure.

[14]

Let us return to the matter of the Brothers and the mission in general. Money is of little use because of the difficulty of spending it. His Lordship will ask the commander to take charge of a certain sum for various purchases at Valparaíso, including flour and other things for his missionaries. He would need a ship and was almost disappointed not to see me arrive aboard the Pacha. But the maintenance expenses would be very considerable, and I believe His Lordship would do well to manage without one for as long as possible. We had several discussions about the mission. His Lordship understands perfectly that the missionaries, as well as the Brothers, must receive proper care, but his ideas concerning the latter are not yours. He believes that allowing them to eat with the Fathers would cause a very serious difficulty, because the local people would not show the missionaries the same respect. Moreover, mealtimes are often the only opportunity to reach agreements and converse, so it would be inappropriate for the Brothers to be with the Fathers. These arguments, Father, are not strong enough to make you alter this point of the Rule, because the Brothers will be sufficiently aware of whether or not they can eat with us. In a mission where they are few in number, their duties will require them to eat after us. I presented His Lordship with every argument in favour of the practice and could convince him only by saying that it was the Rule. This is not to say that Brothers Augustin and Joseph, who are now at Wallis, made the slightest complaint. Nevertheless, I believe that the Rule should be upheld. Why, for example, should the missionaries not have a refectory where they would be hidden from the view of the local people? And do we not often discuss, even in front of servants, things that they ought not to know? Furthermore, if you wish to give the Fathers servants, they must be paid. If they are Brothers, they must be treated as Brothers. After witnessing certain events, it would be impossible for me to speak otherwise. My role would be painful if this conversation were not between you and me, because it is painful to accuse. Yet how many times has Bishop Pompallier said that the missionaries must be well treated, or at least as well as circumstances permit, and that they must be entirely independent? What has he done to accomplish this? What means has he provided them? Those at Wallis, like those at Tonga, were, if not in the same destitution as the latter, at least in a nearly identical position: without shoes, virtually without shirts, and without resources. Since arriving at Wallis, Bishop Bataillon has received five or six hundred [currency symbol unclear]. Fortunately for him, whenever he had occasion to approach whalers for provisions, they never asked him for money. A good shipment would have been warmly welcomed. It is not that I arrived entirely empty-handed, but I had neither linen nor shoes for these gentlemen. When all our belongings have arrived, those who possess something will share it with the others. His Lordship is delighted with his printing press. Although he displays little satisfaction, I could see that he was overjoyed. Our large number of weaving reeds for combing hemp pleased him. Brother Auguste, an excellent weaver and workman, had done everything he could to make reeds but had been unable to succeed. I should have liked to have Father Mathieu with me. His Lordship arranged matters so skilfully that he kept him and is allowing me to depart with Father Rougeyron and the two Brothers. It seems to me that with Fathers Calinon and Roudaire, His Lordship could have managed, particularly since I shall have to do everything myself. Despite all his good qualities, Father Rougeyron is not a man capable of giving me advice. The good God will come to my aid, and you, Father, will not forget your Auvergnat mission. You know your promises. I am relying upon them and, in return, promise not to spare myself and to keep you informed of everything. I shall resume my letter in New Caledonia, a country of which little good is said. But the good God is there too. There are also children and sheep there who will enter the same fold. I cannot resist the temptation, and although still far from New Caledonia, I must say a word to you about Futuna. I went ashore and remained for one or two hours, but far from the place watered by the blood of our holy Father and confrère, and without being able to communicate with Father Roulleaux. I was obliged to write to him and set out the course he should follow. The island is almost entirely converted. Father Roulleaux, who was responsible for material affairs, had several churches built. They must be very beautiful, judging by Father Servant's church, which is still under construction. He is now attending to spiritual matters. I assigned each Father a part of the island to administer in both spiritual and temporal matters, so that this division might preserve charity among them. His Lordship will visit them in six or seven months and make any necessary changes. I must tell you that, once idolatry had been uprooted, the demon of discord had entered, and, most unfortunately, had come between the two Fathers. You may believe there were faults on both sides. The division I made had already begun to some extent, and peace appeared to have been restored between our Fathers. Father Viard had received letters from both sides and communicated them to His Lordship before his departure. With grace from above, the mission will advance. It is still very poor. Our gentlemen are almost as poor as those in Tonga. I could not leave them everything I would have wished. Nevertheless, I was able to provide all of them with trousers, short cassocks, hats, vestments, ciboria, wine, and a little flour for making hosts. Brother Marie-Nizier had been without a hat for three years. I left each of them one pair of shoes. When all our belongings have arrived, they will be supplied more abundantly. Their need is all the greater because they have no food except what the local people are willing to give them, and so they undergo more than one compulsory fast. I do not know whether I told you that I left some money, a fairly large quantity of Tenerife wine, hats, and other things with these gentlemen in Tonga, Wallis, and Futuna.

[15]

A word now about New Zealand. I shall take advantage of the ship and Father Viard's presence to ask His Lordship to forward to the priests and Brothers the things sent to them from France. Before leaving France, I had raised the matter on their behalf. Father Poupinel replied that they should have received the necessary things. Father Viard told me that, before sending his schooner, His Lordship had placed the things intended for them aboard a merchant brig. Nothing has been heard of the brig since then, or rather, instead of coming to these waters, it apparently went to Sydney. If that is so, our gentlemen will have further suffering to endure, notwithstanding the goodwill of the missionaries arriving from France and their desire to share as good Brothers.

[16]

I continue my account with difficulty, so greatly do I fear distressing you, but you must know everything. Father Borjon and Brother Déodat, sent by Father Épalle to Port Nicholson, were probably shipwrecked, and the vessel carrying them must have been lost with all hands, since no news had been received of it more than six months after its departure. These are great crosses for the mission, but still less serious than the defection of several Brothers who, according to Father Viard's information, have abandoned the mission. Could this have resulted from a lack of consideration shown to them? A letter of recommendation from Father Garin to every missionary, asking that these good Brothers be properly cared for, would confirm me in this belief. I therefore retract nothing of what I said above concerning the Brothers. I have told you of our conversations with the Bishop of Enos, and in everything I said to him I always took care to add, “It is the Rule,” because I asserted nothing that was not practised in the house.

[17]

Reverend Father, you will also allow me to tell you of a small matter that affected me deeply. When purchases were being made for the two bishops, Father Poupinel had me choose a stole for myself. Instead of that one, a stole belonging to Father Roudaire was placed in my trunk, while the one I had chosen was in His Lordship's. The good procurator doubtless believed that I had probably thought of myself and that he could, with a clear conscience, treat me as a child. Father, I am a bishop despite myself, but I am one and must be treated as such. The inventory listed everything belonging to His Lordship or to the missionaries. Some objects belonging to me were identified, but most were not. Consequently, if I had wished to retain some for myself, it would have been thought that I was taking them from the mission or, if they had been granted to me, that I was receiving them as a pure favour. Selfishness, Father, is the last vice of which I could be accused. When all our belongings have arrived, if you are given an account of everything received, you will recognise that yourself. But I am a man, and one who feels things too keenly. If I offended Father Poupinel, I apologise to him. Nevertheless, I confess that this was not my intention and that I did not think I was required to submit the expenses I incurred to anyone other than you, Reverend Father. I wronged no one and used only funds given to me, as bishop, for the New Caledonian mission, on the condition that I name the first church I built Saint Denis. These are petty troubles that I ought to have passed over in silence. Nevertheless, it is good that you should know everything.

[18]

I shall send you a list of our expenses for the Propagation of the Faith. I did not make it completely rigorous, and I could have added several other things. I did not do so because I did not wish those gentlemen to be informed of all the funds I had received. I left His Lordship a little more than thirty thousand francs. Father Calinon will have at least three thousand francs to give him, together with two-thirds of every article of which there are three, except axes, shovels, spades, and pickaxes, of which I should like approximately half.

[19]

If I do not finish my letter today, I at least hope to make considerable progress. On the eve of Saint Thomas, we saw New Caledonia's numerous and magnificent waterfalls. That evening we dropped anchor, and the next day, the feast of the Apostle of the Indies, I prostrated myself upon this long-desired land and placed my mission under the protection of Mary and this great saint. I thought I would find Protestants there, but thanks be to God, there are only non-believers. A ship had called there some time earlier and left islanders from a neighbouring island to prepare the way. If they had been left there for any other purpose, those responsible would have been greatly mistaken, because the unfortunate people did not even know what a Christian was.

[20]

I was pleasantly surprised. These local people, who were said to be so fierce, show me every consideration. Accompanied by one missionary, I travelled quite far into their country without taking any precautions, and I had no reason to complain of them. They competed for the privilege of carrying me across streams. They showed every possible eagerness in assigning me land for my house, which is now being built beside that of a chief, and in supplying me with the necessary timber.

[21]

These peoples have made very little material progress. Their huts are wretched, and they have no clothing, especially the men. The women wear a belt two or three inches wide around the lower part of the waist. The country could offer great resources, but many things will have to be introduced. They do not have the resource of the breadfruit tree, only a few coconut palms, of which they eat even the husk. I saw few banana plants. They have taro and yams, as well as a few chickens, but no pigs. Fortunately for us, the crew of the Bucéphale will give us several with which to stock the island. We have a ram and a ewe, several chickens, and ducks. After the present scarcity, a happier time will probably come. The chief beside whose house mine will stand is willing to grant me land belonging to him near a magnificent stream. If we can obtain livestock, the missionaries' position will be tolerable. There are so many meadows that raising animals will be easy. I believe vines will thrive there, and the temperature seems excellent. We shall have a fine garden that can be watered without difficulty and fish in the river flowing beside our future dwelling. Thus, after meeting the initial expenses, we may hope to place the mission on a sound footing.

[22]

I do not intend to incur these expenses until six months from now, after the second ship's visit, so that we may know where we stand with our diocesans. I shall then spend the little I have left on livestock and provisions for the missionaries. I shall also obtain a small boat for visiting the various huts scattered along the seashore.

[23]

The unfortunate thing is that the local people are completely dispersed. There are scarcely ten huts around or near that of the chief in question. I thought it prudent to settle beside him at first because it would be easier for me to learn the language and I would also be safer. Once I am known, I shall occupy the dwelling of which I have already spoken to you, near which it will be easy to establish a water-powered saw. The first site beside the sea would offer us no resources, not even the advantage of being more centrally located.

[24]

God probably has certain designs for this mission. I told you that Father Viard was going to join Bishop Pompallier, but because there are two languages and Father Viard partially understands one of them, he has agreed, for the advancement of my mission, to remain with me for six or seven months, until I can manage by myself.

[25]

You see, Father, how your children act. What will console you is that even if this island were placed under French protection and the government established a colony here, it could occupy only Port Balade, whose surroundings could easily support more than ten thousand souls. We could readily establish ourselves behind these high mountains and protect all the local people from contact with the French. Moreover, Father Viard believes that contact with the French would be less dangerous than contact with the English, of whom you have heard so much good. The English are no better than our own people, and their presence can offer your missionaries no assistance, as New Zealand proves.

[26]

I shall continue, Father, always with the same frankness. In your letter to Bishop Bataillon, I believe you said nothing about our Auvergnat mission. You merely told His Lordship that I would settle in New Caledonia with Father Roudaire. You know what you promised us, and I venture to rely upon it. I am provisionally leaving the two Brothers and Fathers Roudaire and Favier with His Lordship, without thereby surrendering my rights. I say “my rights” because your word is everything to me and preferable to a perfectly valid written instrument. His Lordship will understand the needs of his own mission perfectly, but he will be too far away to understand mine. Since he knows your plans only through me, he will always regard me as a vicar general and will forward funds and personnel to me only if it suits him. I am willing to believe that my fears are unfounded. Nevertheless, allow me to tell you that I know men well enough to desire something definite. The sun's rays extend across the entire earth, yet every place is not equally warmed. To summarise briefly, these are my wishes: that you inform Bishop Bataillon of your plans for the Auvergnat mission, and that you be so kind as to specify which personnel, funds, and articles you intend for me. Otherwise, some cloud might arise and spoil matters.

[27]

I had the happiness of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice on land on Christmas Day, at the site of my house. The local people conducted themselves perfectly. The recollection of the officers, the armed sailors, and good Father Viard's arrangement of the women on one side and the men on the other all contributed to making the ceremony more imposing. I was deeply moved, Reverend Father, and earnestly implored the Father of Mercies to look with compassion upon these poor peoples. My church was the vault of heaven, with a beautiful sun and, around me, a people more ignorant than the shepherds, who nevertheless heard - or rather, to whom the words of the angel will apply: Gloria in excelsis Deo et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.

[28]

Commander Laferrière has been charged with proposing French protection to the chiefs. He has not yet done so. When something has been decided, I shall resume my letter and inform you.

[29]

The matter is settled. The principal chiefs have given their agreement. I ask you, however, to speak of it only when the matter has become public. Do not become anxious about the mission. It will be extremely easy for us to find places sufficiently remote that our catechumens will not be exposed.

[30]

Father Viard and I travelled quite far into the interior. Everywhere we received the same welcome and consideration. There was no trace of Protestants, who initially settled at Port Saint-Vincent but abandoned it for reasons unknown to me. In New Caledonia we have inhabitants from the New Hebrides who will be of great assistance to us in that mission. The Protestants have also abandoned those islands. It seems to me very important to occupy the principal locations as soon as possible. For that, however, many missionaries in good health would be required, because the journeys will be long and arduous and food difficult to obtain. This country offers no resources except those we obtain through cultivation and livestock. I do not know whether I told you, Reverend Father, that within several months I shall try to obtain a certain quantity of livestock.

[31]

It is true that one is satisfied with little in the missions, but that little must nevertheless be available. We travelled at least fifteen leagues into the interior without finding a single fruit to eat, apart from an occasional coconut. Game, or rather wild ducks, is very abundant. We shall set traps to obtain them, and fishing will also provide food. None of this causes us to despair. On the contrary, we place great trust in Providence, and what gives us joy is seeing that their hearts already belong to us.

[32]

Nevertheless, I would not wish to make you feel too secure, or, more accurately, to give you false hopes. These peoples are very childlike and quick to anger. They are also thieves and may well play some tricks upon us. Even so, I venture to hope that all will go well.

[33]

To summarise, Father, the New Caledonian mission appears to offer excellent prospects for success, whatever the fate of this country, because the places to be occupied are near the sea and scarcely three leagues inland. The part I have visited could feed thirty thousand inhabitants, provided attention were given to cultivation. The land is too large for there not to be places suitable for settling a population much larger than New Caledonia's present one. The seashore near Port Balade has scarcely three hundred inhabitants over a distance of several leagues. Three leagues away, one finds a beautiful river crossing a plain several leagues wide. I travelled at least twelve leagues upstream. The riverbanks are cultivated, but only to a very slight depth, and it would be surprising if three thousand inhabitants were found within this area. Yet, if the inhabitants were less idle, it could easily support fifty thousand souls, since the land could readily feed them. Even leaving all that aside, the interior must offer other areas fertile enough for two or three thousand people but capable of feeding more than fifty thousand. What appears to confirm my opinion is that these islanders seem very little attached to the land of their birth, New Caledonia being inhabited by a large number of people from the New Hebrides.

[34]

Because the settlements are quite distant from one another, much time will be lost travelling between them, and consequently a larger number of missionaries will be needed. Since the New Hebrides have none, it would be appropriate to send some there as soon as possible. For that purpose, we would have them accompanied by catechumens whom we had instructed. Weigh all this in your wisdom and then determine what you must do. The matter deserves reflection. New Caledonia and the New Hebrides are sufficiently close and sufficiently populous to occupy a good number of missionaries, while their proximity would save considerable expense. The shortage cannot last very long. I am going to acquire a small property for cultivation and raising livestock. I shall try to obtain something in every place that appears suitable for founding a mission. Once that is done, our food supply will be almost assured, together with the success of our labours. I wish I had had more time to take care over my letter and give you something more correct. You will excuse me, Reverend Father; my occupations are somewhat numerous. I shall keep you informed of everything. Whether there is success or not, nothing will be omitted. For your part, Reverend Father, please remember us, because without you we can do nothing. I ask you to commend my mission to the prayers of the community; not to forget me when speaking to any of the Fathers, without a single exception, or to the Brothers; to excuse me if I forgot myself in anything I said; and to accept, together with this renewed assurance of my respectful attachment and profound gratitude, everything that may be found in the heart of the most tender of sons. It is as such that I venture to embrace you.

+ Guillaume Douarre

Bishop of Amata

Port Balade, 10 January 1844.