Girard0021

Bishop Jean-Baptiste-François Pompallier to Fr Jean-Claude Colin, 2 October 1837

APM OOc 418.1

Partial translation by Virginia Spencer

[1]: […]We applied ourselves earnestly to the study of the English language, except the brothers who do not need it as much as us. This language is essential for the missionaries of Oceania, both for travel and for the work of the mission; the English and the Americans are almost the only navigators in these parts; one meets them on all the islands, and many of islanders understand English.

[…]

[8]: We arrived at Tahiti after five and half days of sailing. We had not expected to set foot on this large island, because of the ministers of sects who strive to prohibit the entry of Catholic missionaries. However, thanks to the divine Master of hearts and minds, the queen [p. 4] permitted us to stay freely in this place until the end of the period that our ship stays here on the business of trade. Mr Moernhout, the American Consul, who asked her for that privilege, provides us protection full of benevolence and honesty. We appeared on the island, where almost every day we took a walk. People sighted us with pleasure; we were greeted from all sides and people expressed the desire to have real missionaries. But alas! The moment is not yet favourable for these poor islanders!