Girard0289
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25 November 1843 - Father Jérôme Grange to Father Colin(only), Tonga
Summary
Complains about Colin’s lack of response to about 50 pages of letters Grange has sent him. Makes a desperate appeal to the Marist administration for financial help – only the visit of the naval ship carrying Bishop Douarre has saved them.
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Document 289 — 25 November 1843
Jérôme Grange to Jean-Claude Colin
Source: APM OC 208 (Tonga), Grange.
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Editorial Description
Sheet of “Bath” paper, folded to form four pages, of which two are written; the third is blank; the fourth contains only the address and Poupinel’s annotation.
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- Address
- France — Monsieur — Monsieur Colin (to him alone) — montée Saint-Barthélemy 4 — Lyon
- Annotation (Poupinel)
- New Zealand [1]
Text
Tonga Tabou, 25 November 1843
- My very Reverend Father,
- [1]
- I have time only to say a few words to you. I have written to you since my arrival in Oceania at least fifty pages of letters, and I have not yet received a single word in reply. I do not understand why.
- [2]
- I have been at the last extremity five or six times. Nevertheless, I am still half alive. Let us give thanks for the final effects of Providence. If Father Chevron, Brother Attale, and I are still alive, it is remarkable; for a long time I have had no shoes. I still cover myself with some rags of cassock—and how could it be otherwise, when all the letters of those who administer the mission repeat only these words: money, and nothing but money?
- Believe me, my Reverend Father, these words—to which, I think, too much weight has been given [2] —have been like a heavy hammer that has undermined the foundations of the mission.
- However, let us hope that the true advantages of the mission will appear before your eyes in all their light. Although perhaps everything will not be told to you, we were in the last distress when the Bucéphale, commanded by the excellent Monsieur La Ferrière, [3] brought us His Excellency Monsignor d’Amata, who, by pouring upon our island an abundance of blessings, made us hope that perhaps we shall still live.
- Nevertheless, my Reverend Father, do not think that discouragement has taken hold of my soul for a single moment. Believe that I am content, and do not forget to pray for the last—but for the most faithful—of your children.
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- Jérôme Grange
- Apostolic missionary
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