NZ18411219

19 December 1841, Letter of Claude-André Baty to Jean-Baptiste Épalle, Wairoa

Unpublished letter, transcribed and translated by Elizabeth Charlton, September 2022. APM1488.21206

J(esus) M(ary) J(oseph)

Te Wairoa

19 December 1841

My Reverend and Dear Confrère

[1]

I solemnly arrived here yesterday with 16 naturals. We were on the road for nearly two days. I had the honour of telling you about this place in a previous letter which was the second I sent you from here, the first having gone with Mr Maurice who gave me yours with Fr Viard's address and whose departure I did not know at the time I entrusted this letter to one of the ship's agents. Tomorrow I shall go inland as far as Lake Waikare and probably to a tribe on a mountain (Ruatahuna) from which the Bay of Plenty can be seen, two or three days from Opotiki. I have left a letter for you at your address, I do not know if there will be any opportunity.

[2]

I met an Englishman here who was at Akaroa with his Grace and who was even invited to a musical mass celebrated on board one of the corvettes; he is on his way to the bay or at least to Auckland and I entrust him with this letter; he told me that the Bishop was more likely to have left for the islands than for the bay, consequently I am looking at being here for a long time and I am renewing the requests I have already had the honour of addressing to you, a little tobacco, salt, sugar, my travels? xxxxx tobacco and my sugar patients, a tricorn hat, if possible some blouses or blouse. If I could have a few for the big leaders! In a hurry I finish by saying xxxx to all and well r[everend] and dear father pray for the one who has the honour to be

Your very humble and devoted servant

Baty, Prov(icar) Ap(ostolic)