NZ18450807

Fr Forest to Fr Dubreuil, Auckland, 7 August 1845

Translated by Fr Brian Quin SM, November 2005

APM Z 208 7 August 1845

Auckland, 7th August 1845

To Reverend Father Dubreuil

Truly Reverend Father

[1]

About three or four days ago I received your two letters dated the 12th July. They gave me great pleasure. I would have keenly desired [to go] to Sydney to see you and Bishop Epalle and all the beloved confrères and Brothers who are accompanying him. But unfortunately the [illegible word – troubles?] which have arisen in New Zealand, the shortage of priests, have forced me to take responsibility, for a certain time at least, for a station among the Europeans. Bishop Pompallier has seen fit to go to Sydney for several important matters which he has to discuss with Bishop Polding. Besides, I have not yet received the letter from Very Reverend Father Superior which you spoke to me about. When Bishop Pompallier arrives in Sydney, if you decide he is happy for me to go to Sydney myself, you will write to me and I will come right away with great pleasure. I think that at the time you wrote me your last two letters dated the 12th, you had not received the two I had written you about a month ago – in which I asked you to carry out several requests [one or two illegible words – among others?] to buy us some books for our school in Auckland, and a certain amount of other books – on controversy, piety, sermons etc…

[2]

The Bishop will give you the money to pay for them, and I will settle up with him on his return. Send us as well a lot of the pious objects you have brought from France… Make no mention at all to Bishop Pompallier of the letters I have written to you – very soon I will write to you at length about many things, but I need to have a bit more time for that than I have right now. Please tell the Bishop of Sion not to inform Bishop Pompallier of any special knowledge he could have got from some letters which came from New Zealand, to the Superior General, for fear of further antagonising His Lordship against his priests, who for their part are generally too much so. In a few days from now we will send you a rather detailed letter about many things.

I have the honour, indeed, of being your quite devoted servant

Forest