NZ18410906Seon

6 September 1841 Father Antoine Séon to Fr Jean-Baptiste Épalle, Matamata

Translated by ChatGPT, 2023; reviewed by Elizabeth Charlton August 2023

Biography and letters of Antoine Séon

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— the two used are made of pewter
• 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 holy oil container 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; supply me as you see fit. However, I have two missals and I would like 2 bookmarks and ribbons for the pages.

[5]

Some cardboard to bind my Life of Jesus Christ in images; I think 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]

Tools for carpentry, joinery, turning, farming, etc., include whatever you see fit. In this area 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 an area 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 came several times to talk 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 to me about his journey at the end of a letter I would be very grateful.

[12]

Farewell, my Reverend Father, Father Baty will take this letter with him when he leaves Matamata tomorrow. I will be left to myself and to the Holy Spirit, whose assistance will now be very necessary.

[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 understandingly I was expecting to speak French.

Your very humble and obedient colleague,

? Seon

[15]

P.S. The 5 volumes of theology that I took with me have been left wrapped with Father Viard to be given to you. I told His Lordship the church history intended for Akaroa is in Tauranga with some of my belongings; he could have taken it with him but he didn't. It will be used by Tauranga, Maketu, and Matamata.

[16]

P.S. I am leaving today, 7th of September, for a circuit of the Waikato. I feel the need for a pocket notebook.