Girard0309

19 January 1844 - Bishop Guillaume Douarre to Augustin Marquand, New Caledonia

Based on the original, APM, Douarre II file.

Translated by Merv Duffy and ChatGPT, August 2026.

One sheet of “Bath” paper, comprising four written pages; the full address appears on the fourth page and the abbreviated address at the bottom of the first page.

[p. 4]

[Address:]

Monsieur
Monsieur Augustin Marquand
Second lieutenant in the Third Marine Infantry Regiment
5 rue Saint-Vincent, second floor
Toulon
Var

[p. 1, at the bottom of the page]

[Abbreviated address:] To Monsieur Marquand, second lieutenant in the 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment

[p. 1]

(2)

Monsieur and very dear friend,

[1]

You are probably expecting a long letter from me. If I had as much time as inclination, you would be satisfied. But, relying as much upon your kind friendship as upon your indulgence, I shall be rather brief today, while promising to make it up to you soon.

[2]

Our passage was among the happiest and as pleasant as possible, thanks to the kindness of the governor and his wife and of the officers and passengers of the Uranie. At our various ports of call we received the kindest hospitality: at Tenerife and Gorée, from the good Sisters of Saint Joseph and the young and excellent priest serving the colony; at Rio, from the nuncio of His Holiness and a French missionary of the Sacred Heart; and at Valparaiso, from priests of the same society. They made us forget the minor discomforts of the sea. In the latter city, I baptized a young child from the Marquesas, for whom Monsieur and Madame Bruat kindly agreed to serve as godfather and godmother. I then administered the sacraments of baptism and confirmation to him. I shall pass over in silence a Mass celebrated at Houapou on the seashore for the installation of the governor; the senior officers of the Uranie, several landing companies, and the garrison under arms were in attendance. [p. 2]

[3]

A few days later the same ceremony was repeated at Nouka-Hiva, and on the first of November we were once again crossing the sea toward our destination. This final passage offered nothing particularly new. At Tonga Tabou we found the Catholic mission in a flourishing condition. The presence of Protestant ministers did not prevent our gentlemen from winning the affection of almost all the inhabitants, and I venture to hope that great successes are reserved for them, judging by those they have already achieved, although they have been established there for scarcely twenty months. Wallis presents the spectacle of the Christians of the early Church. Bishop Bataillon has achieved the finest results. The Annals will tell you what occurred at his consecration, which was most imposing in itself and even more so because of the reverence of the inhabitants. Father Chanel's blood has made Futuna fruitful, and it now numbers only Christians. May God grant me similar success in New Caledonia!...

[4]

What a beautiful day it would be for us if, one day, I found myself striding over its high mountains with the good Monsieur Marquand! Senegal is your delight, my dear friend; nevertheless, let us not disdain our own good fortune, for far more extraordinary and surprising things have happened to me. My diocese is magnificent even in its horrors. Would a mother proclaim that her child was deformed? So it is with your very little bishop: he found truth in the picture that had been painted for him of this island, which rather resembles a continent, although he also found that picture somewhat exaggerated. The mountains of New Caledonia appear rather arid; sandalwood is found on some of them. Its valleys, however, are beautiful and perfectly watered by numerous streams. The pastures appear excellent. Only one thing is lacking: livestock. There is not a single quadruped on the island, although there is plenty of game. Not even the breadfruit tree, which would be [p. 3] such a great resource for us, is found here. The inhabitants are short and black; nevertheless, they differ from those whom you love so much by having fine beards. They are also somewhat inclined to steal, although I have had no cause to complain about them. They have lavished every attention and consideration upon me. I travelled with them, accompanied by only one missionary, by day and by night; my best friends could not have shown me greater attentiveness. Quite recently, finding myself alone with the inhabitants and having a wide and deep river to cross, I entrusted myself to them and was able to reach the opposite bank safely, although I cannot swim. If I were less pressed for time, I would have a fine little story to tell you about that. The inhabitants' houses rather resemble the wheat stacks of our country. They have only a narrow opening, which is explained by the inhabitants' complete nakedness; the women wear a narrow belt around their waists. They cultivate yams and taro quite well.

[5]

I am obliged to stop there on this occasion, however willing I may be to continue. You will not hold it against me, my dear friend, I am sure, and you will continue to send me news of yourself and of those colleagues whom I knew at Toulon and in whose remembrance I ask you to recall me. Offer my respects also to your worthy colonel. Tell me at length about your school and the progress of your young soldiers, because you know that I take an interest in it. Please also tell Monsieur Blerio that I received his letter. This is acting, as you see, without any ceremony; that is how one treats one's friends and those whom one esteems. Your fine conduct and everything you do for [p. 4] religion and for your country deserved this from me. I shall omit all the kindnesses you have shown me, contenting myself with preserving their precious memory. Pray for me and for my mission, which will be difficult at the beginning because the houses are far apart and the country is mountainous. But your prayers, together with those of so many good souls who take an interest in us, will smooth away the difficulties, and success will sustain our weakness. I leave you in the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. It is there that one loves to find one's friends again. Farewell, my dear Monsieur Marquand. Love me as I love you, and believe in my complete devotion.

Your servant and friend,

+ G(uillaume) Douarre, Bishop of Amata

Port Balade, New Caledonia

19 January 1844