(1821?) ( )
Apacossikan, Chief
Arbre Croche, (Michigan Territory)
to (Father Gabriel Richard)
(Detroit, Michigan)
The Indians of the village salute (Richard). Those who live there are fighting more and more, but murder angers them. He will hold on to what he told (Richard) last summer. He hope to see (Richard) soon and will converse leisurely with him there at his home. (This translation was furnished by Father J. R. Richard, S.J. of Spanish Ontario).
III-f-2 A.L.S. (Ottawa language) 1p. 4to.
2
(1821) (January)
B(ru)té S(imon) Father
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
to (Catherine) Josephine (Seton)
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
This is a prayer for her. It is one of the last and most familiar which she (Mother Elizabeth Seton) repeated while still with us. She is now in heaven, he hopes. He exhorts her to pray always. The picture is for William who can have it for a mark in his book. "Our Lord" on the cross--"our mother" at his feet--praying to the Father with respect and abandon--all his heart and "ours" expressed in his attitude. The Spirit of Grace (is) His hope and "ours." "Pray for us."
II-1-a Note S. (French) 1pp. 24mo.
2
1821 Jan. 16
Chatard, B.
Baltimore, (Maryland)
to (Catherine) Josephine Seton
Emmitsburg, (Maryland)
She learned day before yesterday of her cruel loss. Josephine knows the tender friendship which existed between Chatard and her mother (Mother Elizabeth Ann Bayley Seton). She would like to be her second mother but God does not will it. Josephine is to write and tell of her mother's last wishes and news of Josephine's plans for the future. Her health is very bad. May God bless Josephine and her brothers; all three concern her like her own children.
(P.S.) She sends her respects to Fathers Dubois and Bruté and to the good Sisters, especially Sister Xavier who wrote to her.
II-1-a A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo.
3
1821 Feb. 15
Bruté, Father Simon
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
to Catherine Josephine Seton
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
Her question is good for her soul and shows her sincere to know God's will. She should enjoy the peace of such offering of herself to His will. He is also glad to find mother's (Mrs. Elizabeth Seton's) child with such a disposition, but it is a great responsibility for himself. Though fluctuating in thought he is inclined to tell her to follow her impression and to make a trial of it. He will not fear to entrust his thoughts to her. Her mother (Mrs. Elizabeth Seton) had only one desire, that God's will be done. Thus her personal desire was conditional on God's. She spoke little of it to her. Josephine knows best. He "almost never- and never" objected to her "excursions to try the World." A fear of the world's disappointments is an equivocal sign. It doesn't do for a vocation. A fear of its dangers is a truer indication. A heart desiring to serve God and live united with Him turns from the world to the safest means of doing so. A desire to secure even in this life the balance of happiness and the least share of mental afflictions, provided it is not precluded by our obligations to others, is worth considering and may concur with an even greater service to our neighbors. St. Paul shows this in Corinthians I, 7. He advises her to read this both for its general meaning and for its application to herself. She should try herself "on the main side of each question." Our Lord's design as explained by the Church is to let the world say anything to the contrary. Men are immortal souls, images of God, brought by Christ into a union in one body. This union may be accomplished in ordinary life. For Christ has made matrimony a sacrament of sanctification if His service is made its last end. Yet another manner of life is higher and preferable. Attention to what is important makes it evident to a religious soul. Without this vocation for the better part one should follow the common way indicated by providence. But when piety calls one should be disposed to follow what is for God's glory and love and the greatest advantage of his soul and those of others. He will continue to help her to make this examination. She is to be prayerful, confident and attentive to her usual duties.
II-1-a A.L.S. 4pp. 8vo.
1
1821 Jun. 16
Montault, Bishop Charles
Angers, France
Montault certifies that Napoleon Joseph Percher, son of Florent Percher and Maria Joanna Berthelemy born on January 10, 1805, received the first tonsure. The secretary, Father G.R. Denail signs also.
V-4-c D.S. (Latin) 1p. 4to.
1
1821 Jun. 19
(Pius VII, Pope)
Rome (signed by) H.Card Consalvi, to Eduardo Fenwick(O.P.)
Copy. Announces creation of the Diocese of Cincinnati to include the entire state of Ohio-Names Fenwick bishop. Gives him the administration of the adjoining provinces of Michigan and the Northwest with the same faculties.
II-4-d Copy of A.D.S. (Latin 6pp. folio Gift of Rev. J. Quinn
1821 Jun. 19
Pius VII, P(ope)
Rome (signed by) H. Card. Consalvi.
to Eduardo Fenwick (O.P.)
Announces creation of the Diocese of Cincinnati to include the entire state of Ohio--Names Fenwick bishop--Gives him the administration of the adjoining provinces of Michigan and the Northwest with the same faculties.
II-4-d A.D.S. (latin) 1p. parch. folio
In oversize cabinet
Added note on back of Consecration ceremony and participants, Jan. 13, 1822 signed by J.B. P(urcell).
--------
1821 Jun. 29
Bruté, Father S(imon)
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
to William (Seton)
(U.S. Navy)
Bruté saw of the arrival of William's frigate in the Fayette this morning. He put off writing the whole day, thinking that William's heart would be reached only by his sister's letter. But now the last hour of the day, opening the bible his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Seton, kept for seven or eight years, (her first bible of 1804, he returned to Josephine). Bruté noticed her notes on psalm 118 which she said everyday, though usually from the primer "Joe" keeps. She had places underlined for herself or William. At a verse of fear for sin she wrote "o my dear ones!" To psalm 118, verse 144, which says that if God gives on understanding he shall live, she adds "in Jesus." She lives in Him, for them (us) no more. To verse 165 which says that lovers of God's law have no stumbling block she adds that His will is all. It was her whole last prayer towards two o'clock that night of January 4 with Susanna and S(iste)r Clarke, "o Joe, Joe herself." Just there followed Pius VII's prayer which she recited every day. It says that God's will is to be done and exalted above all forever. A marginal note, inserted here in Bruté's handwriting, says she began it herself and they took it up. Her last three or four months were a union to God's will. She was recollected in her peace, loved her communion which was her heaven and earth. Bruté concluded the marginal note with, the statement that he leaves it all to Joe. Mother Seton tells her beloved one, William from heaven to fulfill that will and come to her. Bruté asks William's forgiveness for the words of one who still loves him in her heart. (There is a landscape drawing at the head of the letter. It consists of two houses, one dated June 29th, the other January 21, a bridge, and three graves. There is also a cliff and a ship dated June 21. Two samples of Elizabeth Seton's handwriting are pasted beneath this. They say "dear dear Eternity" and "resigned and heavenly minded is so beautiful.")
II-1-a A.L.S. 1p. royal 8vo.
2
1821 Sep. 10
(Seton, C(atherine) Josephine)
(Emmitsburg, Maryland)
to W(illiam Seton)
Baltimore, Maryland
She sent a line to the Post Office, not knowing whether William had left Baltimore yet. If all this could have been foreseen she would not have let him go so soon. It is hard being so near yet separated. Mr. Harper informed them that he is much better but will not be able to leave for a fortnight or ten days. Mr. (Stratford) Canning, the English minister, and his secretary Mr. Wilmott arrived Friday evening, but all the family were absent except the "old gentleman," Mrs. Caton, and C(atherine). She has tried to be agreeable. Canning is delightful in appearance and manner. Wilmott is inferior in both and though intelligent, sarcastic. They will leave tomorrow. She supposes the visit is not farther extended on account of the family's anxiety about Mr. Harper. She asks William if he saw Dick's "intended." Dick complained by letter of her not congratulating him. He had not received the letter she wrote ten days ago. "Old Clem" asked for William. She suggests that he take notice of Old Clem the next time he goes to the mountain, as Old Clem said William had not been as sociable with him as Dick. She says all are well, especially herself.
II-1-a A.L.S. 2pp. 8vo.
2
(1821?)
(1st Sunday in Advent)
(Bruté, Father Simon), Care of D(octo)r Chatard
Emmitsburg, (Maryland)
Bruté asks William whether it displeases him if, while her (Mrs. Seton's) dear voice is silent, he writes them in her name "the word which from this day was so pleasingly kept on here by all you love." Christmas time is coming again. What a time Anna Rebecca and Mother had for themselves united for many years, now parted! William, Dick, and Joe were also united for a time. They are gone to the "face to face." They (we) are left to the mystery "yet a little while." Christmas and Eternity are words that come to William from the little woods after his long absence. Providence returns him safe but Absolute will does not return the voice and sight of his mother to him. Bruté asks William to forgive him for these sad memories. Eternity was her (Mrs. Seton's) only thought. Now she has it. William should keep it (this letter?) as a sacred inheritance as if she herself had written it. Today the religious year begins again. He began (in his last sermon) to the people of Emmitsburg by asking them three questions that he may also put to himself. They are, "What to say," "I believe Everlasting life? Should we think in earnest about it?--and how should we prepare for it?" the first has immense meaning. The second is contested only by the fool, though many who would not deny it forget it. Some say it is not in our present nature to think of its spiritual reality beyond the sensible. Then, it is not in our nature to resist sin. But we are obliged to resist a corrupt sinful nature and a forgetful earthly-minded one. The answer to the third is to seek and obey grace to "its full and sincere extent." He asks William not to be too displeased with him. He ends with a drawing of a fenced-in plot of graves. The second from the right is surmounted by a cross.
II-1-a A.L. 1p. 8vo.
2