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29 June 1839 — Letter of Victor Poupinel to Thomas Heptonstall

Minute APM 2275/11652 ; summary EG n° 3. Edited in CS1 doc. 80.

[Letter in English, summary in French, translated by Merv Duffy]

Ad majorem Dei gloriam et Dei genitricis honorem

In Mary without sin conceived’s name

Lyon June 29th 1839

To reverend doctor Heptonstall

Dear reverend doctor,

[1]

Yesterday we received a reverend father English trappist’s honourable visit; and as he is just going away from hence to London, I lay hold of the favourable opportunity to transmiss you a letter coming from Rome for the right reverend bishop Pompallier. Pray, reverend doctor, pass it to him by the right reverend doctor Polding’s medium, when it will be possible. There is almost a whole month I had the honour to write to you and send with mine another letter which had been directed to our reverend superior by cardinal prefect of the congregation de Propaganda fide. I thought our dear brethren could not take it away with us. But we were later told of their sojourn in London; only in their letters they do not speak with us of this letter, and their silence is attributed by us to their precipitation

[2]

We are very much obliged to you, dear reverend doctor for all the troubles you take for the sake of us. We know the reason of your so kind conduct, without that we should be very sorry to trouble you so much. Permit me, if you please, to offer you our most sincere thanks; we are very glad to acknowledge you do us great services. At heart you may rely upon all our gratitude and our prayers for you and whole your country. England is now become yet dearer to our hearts. Englishmen’s generous hospitality to the French priests during the time of our calamities is well known throughout the whole France, but especially throughout Normandy, my country. Also we hope confidently that merciful God will reward England and recall it soon in the true church.

[3]

I think our superior will much approve the way of transmitting you letters by the medium of the reverend superior of foreign missions at Paris and by the reverend Laporte, a chaplain of the French

ambassador in England. As for the parcels we shall direct them to Mr Knill (bridge warf). As Mr Weld, I think, at the arrival of the packetboats of Boulogne, will be authorised to pay you the expenses incurred for postage and carriage, if you approve it, we shall no more frank our letters.

[4]

It is to hope that the Propagation of the faith will do still great progresses this year out of France. Let us bless the Lord of his infinite mercies. Mr Meynis is a worthy man; he lives only to propagate the glory of God. Right reverend Pompallier’s happy successes at New Zealand have caused us a great joy. I shall write to the reverend Thomas Doyle and have also the honour to write Mr Knill to thank them of the hearty welcome which our dear fellows have received at their houses.

[5]

I remain with the most humble respect, dear reverend doctor,

your very humble and obedient servant,

Victor Poupinel.

[in the right margin]

Mr de Walker, Nottingam Place / Nr 11, Nottingam Street, London.

[summary] 

[in the margin] 

To reverend doctor Heptonstall, at London;

3. — Lyon, 29 June 1839.

[7]

A second letter was sent to Fr Heptonstall a second letter from the Cardinal Prefect of Propaganda for Bishop Pompallier ; and said to him that we were grateful that our letters and parcels were being sent by the French Ambassador in London.

Signed: Poupinel, secretary.