NZ18410906Seon

6 September 1841 Father Antoine Séon to Fr Epalle, Matamata

Translated by ChatGPT, 2023

Matamata, 6th of September 1841

My Reverend Father,

[1]

It is not from Akaroa that I am writing to you; I am much closer. Circumstances have compelled His Lordship to assign a priest for Matamata and Waikato. This fate has fallen to me. Here I am, installed as rector with a makeshift sacristy and household. Since you have the list of items you provided me, I will indicate what Father Viard himself gave me; you will see what I am lacking:

• Sugar 22 pounds
• Rice 22
• Tea 1 ½ [presumably 1 ½ pounds]
• Oil 8 bottles
• Tobacco 35 pounds
• 2 pots
• 6 plates, out of which three are in pieces—ours are made of tin
• 3 saucers
• 4 cups, one is broken
• 2 spoons
• 2 forks
• 4 small spoons
• 1 lamp
• 8 bottles of wine for Mass
• 1 teapot
• In silver, 3 pounds
• I now have an axe
• I have about 40 or 45 pounds of salt
• I have a frying pan
• Approximately 20 pounds of flour

[3]

For my sacristy, I have only what you gave me, though the chrémeau [holy oil container?] has disappeared on the ship among the Bishop's belongings...

[4]

Do not hesitate to provide ornaments for the altar; I will make good use of them. I celebrate Mass here, but soon I must return to Father Pesant the items I borrowed from him. Thus, I won't provide you with a specific list; you will supply me as you see fit. However, I have two missals and I would like 2 bookmarks and ribbons for the pages.

[5]

A bit of cardboard to bind my Life of Jesus Christ in prints; I foresee that it will be very useful to me.

[6]

For the household, I have provided you with a list of the items I have. Please send us suspenders. For Brother Euloge, who doesn't know how to properly care for his clothes, send whatever you think is appropriate.

[7]

For the carpenter, joiner, turner, farmer, etc. tools, please include whatever you see fit. In this country where there is beautiful wood, there is not a saw, hardly a hammer... or nails. Don't forget a spade, augers, tools for woodwork. Please send me one of the 4 knives with multiple parts; it will be very useful to me for many things. I will be forced to go far to get hosts. Please include, if you please, some books on trade; I will take great care of them.

[8]

I have been settled since August 29th; since then, journeys and transports have been at the expense of the little missionary purse. Fortunately, I am in a country where provisions are not very expensive.

[9]

Since our arrival in Matamata, where Father Baty came to settle me, we have baptized a young man of about 25 years old who is very sick; I hope he becomes a saint and a protector of this mission. Here, the [Protestant] missionaries have a splendid temple; if the Holy Virgin were to take it away from them to give it to her true children, she would certainly perform a noble deed.

[10]

They have come to confer several times with Father Baty; this will help me until I can do it myself; perhaps they will remember the good reasons he gave them, and maybe they will be more reserved about it.

[11]

I send respect and friendship to all the Fathers at the house in Kororareka, to Mr. Yvert, and to Mr. Perret. I believe the latter has arrived at the Bay of Islands; if he could write me a letter about his journey at the end of this letter, I would be very grateful.

[12]

Farewell, my Reverend Father, this letter will depart from Matamata tomorrow with Father Baty, who leaves me free to myself and to the Holy Spirit, whose assistance will now be very necessary for me.

[13]

His Lordship couldn't come here during this stop in Tauranga; we will likely have the pleasure of seeing him there on his return; but if you can, don't wait too long to send me what I am asking for.

[14]

Farewell, my Reverend Father, here I am speaking Maori, when I rightly expected to be speaking French.

Your very humble and obedient colleague,

? Seon

[15]

P.S. The 5 volumes of theology that I took with me have been left in an envelope with Father Viard to be given to you. I informed His Lordship about the church history intended for Akaroa; it is in Tauranga with some of my belongings; he could have it collected; he didn't take it with him. It will serve for Tauranga, Maketu, and Matamata.

[16]

P.S. I am leaving today, 7th of September, for a tour to Waikato. I feel the need for a pocket writing desk.