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4 November 1843 - Father Jean Forest to Father Victor Poupinel, Bay of Islands

Summary

He wants to comment on a list of things needed by the mission that had been already been sent (docs 230 and 258). Some changes need to be made.

According to the document sent, APM Z 208.

One leaf, two pages: text on the front and annotation by Poupinel on the back; followed by another leaf written on both sides. The second leaf contains the third version of a list previously sent twice by Garin (cf. intro to doc. 230). It seems this document was sent along with the next one (doc. 284), which bears the address.

Translation by Merv Duffy, April 2025.

Text of the Letter

[p. 2] (in Poupinel’s hand)

New Zealand, November 4, 1843 ¤ Father Forest

[p. 1]

New Zealand, Bay of Islands, November 4, 1843

To the Reverend Father Procurator of the Mission

My Reverend Father,

[1]

About two months ago, Bishop Pompallier entrusted me with the mission procure (i.e., the responsibility for provisions and logistics) in place of Reverend Father Garin, who left for a mission station where he is doing much good.

[2]

As Reverend Father Tripe is leaving to return to France, I take this opportunity to send you some observations made regarding the list of items you were asked for in a duplicate letter.¹

[3]

As time does not allow me to fully transcribe that letter, I am sending you only the observations along with some additions. You will find the complete list for the printing press.

[4]

Not having time to write to Madame Robin, please tell her that the beautiful statue of the Blessed Virgin has had a very good effect here among our native people. It is a silent missionary who preaches well. – Please also tell Madame Veuve Péchard that I am very grateful for all the services she has rendered me, and I earnestly ask her not to forget me in her prayers.

[5]

Kindly convey my regards to the good Mr. Curé of Saint Paul, along with my respects – as well as to the Canon, his brother,^[1] and to Mr. Desheures.^[2]

[6]

Please recommend our mission and all its missionaries to the good religious communities you have the advantage of visiting frequently. We greatly need the help of devout souls!

[7]

I have the honor to be, my Reverend and dearly beloved Father,

Your very humble and devoted servant,

Forest

Jesus Mary Joseph — New Zealand, Bay of Islands, November 4, 1843

[8]

Third copy of a list of items requested from France on December 25, 1842, and June 2, 1843, ^[3]with some changes.

[9]

Annual shipment for the Reverend Fathers in New Zealand:

[10]

1º – 2 tricorne hats per Father on the first shipment and one per year thereafter (Bishop received none in Father Séon’s shipment).

[11]

2º – 2 cassocks on the first shipment, then one per year, plus some black cloth in case we need to make more.

[12]

3º – One pair of velvet breeches per year

[13]

4º – One pair of velvet trousers per year

[14]

5º – One pair of wool trousers — same as above

[15]

6º – 2 pairs of shoes and some leather for repairs

[16]

7º – One pair of boots for Fathers Séon, Pezant, Comte, Reigner, Forest (only in the first shipment)

[17]

8º – One cloak or "doulliète" (thick robe) in black or dark blue cloth for Father Forest (his measurements should be with the Archbishop's tailor)

[18]

9º – Woolen belts or travel-friendly cords for the Fathers

[19]

10º – Woolen socks and cotton-thread socks – three pairs of each every two years (one dozen each in the first shipment)

[20]

11º – One silk cap per year

[21]

12º – One overcoat every five years

[22]

13º – Two pairs of black cloth gaiters per year

[23]

Note: Umbrellas are nearly useless here due to the strong winds that usually accompany rain; they should be replaced — not with oilcloth capes (those of the recently arrived Fathers are already in bad condition) — as oilcloth tears easily.

[24]

For the brothers in New Zealand:

[25]

One hat every two years

[26]

One cloth cap with oilcloth lining per year

[27]

One overcoat every two years

[28]

One suit jacket every two years

[29]

Two round vests for weekdays per year

[30]

Two summer vests and one winter vest every two years (a little cloth for making clothes for the brothers as needed)

[31]

One pair of thick wool trousers

[32]

Two pairs of summer trousers every two years

[33]

One pair of black cloth trousers for Sundays

[34]

One black cap every two years

[35]

Two pairs of shoes every year

[36]

Socks same as for the Fathers (a dozen in the first shipment)

[37]

Two pairs of gaiters every year

[38]

Mr. Yvert’s note remains the same as in previous letters

[39]

The library and sacristy: same as previous lists

[40]

For Fathers and Brothers in the tropical islands:

[41]

The same number of items, with this difference: nothing should be made of wool. Everything should be for summer use — summer cassocks, velvet trousers and breeches... no overcoats. They would also like some Roman missals.

[42]

Bishop Pompallier requests the following items:

[43]

Black wool socks and violet cotton-thread socks — 4 pairs per year of each

[44]

Two Roman episcopal cinctures

[45]

Press-quality copying paper — three packages of 1,000 sheets per year

[46]

Shoes — two pairs per year

[47]

One tricorne hat per year

[48]

One episcopal tassel (for the hat) per year

[49]

One pair of velvet breeches every two years

[50]

One wool cloak for travel

[51]

Note: Father Rozet asks for the Massillon^[4] he left in Lyon.

[52]

Military-style bags made of dark leather would be very useful here for travel, to protect the items we carry from rain.

[53]

I plan to send you a more accurate list in some time, once I better understand the needs and what suits best.

[54]

Note 2: Kindly inform those departing for the missions not to buy anything on the way for the mission except what is included in the list you provide them at departure. Many small items — books or other things — arrive here and are nearly useless to us.

[55]

Please make sure to provide departing missionaries with good, thick horsehair mattresses. Give each mattress and bolster one or two light cloth covers that can be washed occasionally. Most of the mattresses here are at the end of their use.

[56]

Do not buy ready-made mattresses; have them custom-made in Lyon or Paris — but not in London; they are very expensive and poor quality there.

[57]

We need a quantity of horsehair here to refurbish ours. We also need ticking fabric. Please send us the necessary tools to redo these mattresses, including thick cords for the mattress filling. …

1. ↑ See below, §§ 8–57.
2. ↑ Jean-Henri Dezeur, canon (cf. doc. 205, §11, note 10).
3. ↑ The “duplicate” (doc. 258) is dated May 30, 1843.
4. ↑ Jean-Baptiste Massillon (1663–1742), priest of the Oratory and bishop of Clermont, was a renowned preacher and moralist. His works (sermons, conferences, and other essays) were reprinted many times in whole or in part, with the most complete edition produced by E.-A. Blampignon in 1886 (cf. Dictionnaire de théologie catholique, vol. 10, cols. 258–265; Dictionnaire de spiritualité, vol. 10, cols. 753–756).