DePaul University

From the SelectedWorks of John E Rybolt

2011

Joseph Rosati, C.M. Itinerary (1815-1817) John E Rybolt, DePaul University

Available at: https://works.bepress.com/john_rybolt/47/ ROSATI, C.M. ITINERARY

Translated and edited by John E. Rybolt, C.M.

The document that follows is the journal kept by during his travels from to the United States during the years 1815 to 1817. He was one of the three original Vincentian priests to be sent to the New World to found a seminary for the Louisiana Purchase. Rosati was a good record-keeper. Internal evidence shows that this document must have been composed some time after the earliest events recorded, while later dates must have been recorded daily. The final period, however, is only sporadically recorded. It stops with Rosati’s first arrival in Missouri. He soon returned to Kentucky and about a year later made another trip, this time by water, down the Ohio River to the Mississippi where he entered Missouri. He and his companions reached the Barrens Settlement in October 1818. The importance of this narrative is its first-hand account of life on the American frontier. Since this version of his “Itinerary” is in French, it appears that he may have rewritten it from his native Italian. Because of the wealth of its details, it supplements the travel narratives written by his superior, Felix De Andreis. 1 He even incorporated some details from Rosati’s notes. While it is clear that De Andreis intended his narrative to be made public, at least within the Congregation, Rosati’s seems to be mainly for his own use. He added notes at the end to help him compose his biography of De Andreis. The major difference between the two is that Rosati’s account is sober and business-like, whereas that of De Andreis is often endowed with lofty spiritual considerations. The original document 2 was transcribed by Charles L. Souvay, C.M. This has formed the basis of this translation. The editor has added headings to facilitate reading, along with names and other information enclosed in square brackets.

[Section One: Rome to Toulouse]

[1815] 3

Bishop [Louis William Valentine] Dubourg, administrator of the diocese of New Orleans, who had come to Rome to be consecrated a bishop, did not wish to return to America without some help from ministers of the Gospel, since his region did not have any, and he intended to look for some in Rome. 4 He spoke about it first to Father De Andreis, who had always been ready for the foreign missions. Our superiors did not consent to this. Father Dubourg spoke about it to our Holy Father, Pius VII, and he, in turn, wished to speak about it to Father [Carlo Domenico] Sicardi, the vicar general of our Congregation. At last, on 27 September 1815, Cardinal [Ercole] Consalvi, Secretary of State, concluded by order of the pope a definite agreement with Father Sicardi for the departure of Father [Felix] De Andreis, [Joseph] Rosati, [John Baptist] Acquaroni and [Antonio] Cremisini for the mission of Louisiana. The mission also obtained Brother [Pietro] Polenghi. 5 But these two last confreres were frightened by some contradictions that this Mission was then suffering and withdrew. Mr.

1 [Leo] Deys from Bruges, a student at the college of Propaganda, the first to meet Father Dubourg, had been destined to accompany him from the time the Bishop came to stay at Monte Citorio. He also obtained permission from Cardinal [Lorenzo] Litta, Prefect of Propaganda, to join this Mission. During the departure preparations, Father [Louis] Bighi and Father [Joseph] Pereira, priests in Rome, enlarged the company of the Missionaries. Also, there were Antonio Boboni and François Boranvanski, postulant brothers, and Father [Joseph] Spezioli, a priest from Recanati. They agreed to go by sea. On 14 October 1815, Father Dubourg led to Castel Gandolfo, where the pope was spending the month of October, Father De Andreis, Acquaroni, Rosati, Pereira, Deys and Boboni to receive the blessings of the successor of Peter. He received us and entertained us with the greatest kindness for three quarters of an hour. He blessed a large number of packages of rosaries and medals. He granted us, 1) the right to celebrate 27 September every year, the feast of Saint Vincent de Paul, in memory of the day when our Mission was agreed on; 6 2) the plenary indulgence for our churches on the feast of Saint ; 7 3) the power for all confessors, already approved to hear confessions, to hear confessions during the entire voyage of everyone in our group; 4) to make the Way of the Cross with a crucifix, and to establish it in the sites of our Mission; 8 5) to celebrate Holy Mass on the boat; 6) different other permissions for individual members. 9 On 21 October, Saturday, Father Acquaroni, Rosati, Spezioli, the priests; Mr. Deys, the cleric; and Antonio Boboni and François Boranvanski, the postulant brothers, embarked at Ripa Grande in Rome on the Tiber, after sunset. Bishop Dubourg came to give us his blessing on the boat, where we spent the night. 10 The ship was a [illegible] and the captain was Francesco Carbone from Recco, on the Genoa Riviera. It was quite crowded since it was small, and we could only remain standing. The boat waited for Father Pereira, who did not join us, but who nevertheless was on the captain's passenger list. He let us know that he would rejoin us at Civitavecchia. The captain said that he could not leave until Father Pereira was on board. François [Boranvanski] and [Antonio] Boboni were sent to look for him at 9:00 p.m. They found him with a dying man. He said that he would come immediately. At midnight the captain asked if he had arrived, and grew angry when he heard that he had not yet come, and sent back the two brothers to call him. But a half-hour after they had left, the captain weighed anchor and left Rome. The brothers were obliged to come by land in a carriage as far as Fiumicino. Sunday, 22 October. We had been promised that we would arrive in time to say mass. But the bad weather and the low water level in the Tiber at that season delayed us. The boat had also been loaded more than it should have been. Several times it scraped the bottom of the river with danger of tipping over, especially one time when it hit the sand and was turned to its side against the current. It took three or four hours to unload it and save it. Finally we arrived in the evening at Fiumicino where the two brothers were waiting for us. They came on board where we all spent the night. Monday, 23 October. We were forced to stay at Fiumicino because the vessel had to be loaded. We three priests said mass. Tuesday, 24 October. Since the weather was favorable, we left for Civitavecchia very early in the morning. We arrived there at 5:00 p.m. The anchor was dropped in the port. We had scarcely arrived when we found Father Pereira, who was waiting for us. He then joined us. Wednesday, 25 October. All of us priests said mass. The captain had come to Civitavecchia to complete the loading of his boat. But the merchant was not present. For this

2 reason, we lost the first three days, during which the weather was wonderful. As soon as the boat was loaded, bad weather and contrary winds kept us in the town. To avoid an ever greater expense, we slept and took our meals on board, since we were always disturbed and very much interrupted. Tuesday, 31 October. Monsignor [Giovanni Antonio] Benvenuti, delegate for Civitavecchia, summoned us, had a breakfast prepared for us, and gave us letters of recommendation for Bordeaux. We sang first Vespers for All in the collegiate church of Saint Francis. Wednesday, 1 November. Father N.N., prior of the Dominican house in Civitavecchia, asked us to attend the Solemn Mass sung by Monsignor Benvenuti, a canon of Saint Mary Major and delegate for Civitavecchia. Father Rosati was deacon, and Father Spezioli the subdeacon, and Mr. Deys the thurifer. He [the prior] had us stay for dinner at the house. Thursday, 2 November. We said mass in the oratory of a confraternity. The weather was still bad, and it was very difficult for us. As a result, we went to sleep in an inn, except for Father Acquaroni and the two brothers. Father Pereira was on the point of leaving us. He had already taken his trunk off the boat, but he returned. Monday, 6 November. Before sunrise we left the port of Civitavecchia, and we arrived toward evening at a place in Tuscany called the Cannelle. There is only a fort there. Because there was no wind, we stopped there and spent the night. Meanwhile, our provisions were running out. A very polite officer in the fort gave us his provision of bread, which we paid for. We went for walks on the mountain. Tuesday, 7 November. Toward evening we weighed anchor and spent all the night traveling along the coast. Wednesday, 8 November. We also spent all day along the cost. In the evening, we entered the port of Livorno where we dropped anchor while waiting for a more favorable wind. We did not go ashore since the captain did not want to waste his money uselessly for the expense which we would have to pay for landing rights. Someone bought bread. Thursday, 9 November. Early in the morning we departed Livorno, and we were forced to spend the next night in the Gulf of La Spezia, still traveling along the coast. Friday, 10 November. In the morning, we left the Gulf and in the evening at 6:00 we arrived in Genoa. Fortunately, the Health Office was not yet closed, and they allowed us to disembark. François [Boranvanski] and [Antonio] Boboni stayed on board. The rest of us went to Fasolo to the house of the [Congregation of the] Mission. Father [Marzio] Ceracchi and Father Sicardi had already announced our arrival to the superior, Father [Gaetano] Nervi. He had just arrived that same day from Turin, where he had gone on house business. He received us with great friendliness and loaded us with politeness. The other confreres did the same. At that time, besides the superior, there were only Father [Bartolomeo] Gazzano, Father [Bartolomeo] Daste, Father [Pio] Scarabelli, the provincial, Father Perosio, the treasurer. The others were giving missions, and they returned a few days later. They were Fathers [Vincenzo] Pesce, [Girolamo] Barbagelata, [Antonio Domenico] Casanova and [Giovanni Battista] Cascioni. This last confrere wanted to join us. We spoke about this with the superiors. We agreed with them that he should write to Rome. He did so but did not receive permission. Brother [Francesco] Filippi expressed the same wish to us, but we did not want to agree, so as not to deprive the house of Genoa of one of the two brothers which it had.

3 As soon as we had arrived in Genoa, the captain fell ill. He was obliged to go home to Recco, a village on the Levant Riviera, some twelve miles from Genoa. During the captain's absence, the sailors were going to play some tricks on us that we did not expect, if by chance François [Boranvanski] should not be found on board while they were about this business. We had taken the boat all to ourselves, and it was agreed not to have women on board. Meanwhile, they arranged with two French officers to take them to Marseilles along with their wives, and they gave them their entire room for this purpose. We wrote about this to the captain, and he assured us that they had not told him about this matter, and that he had never given his permission for it. Since the captain was not regaining his health, and the weather was still against our departure, we were obliged to stay in Genoa more than we had wanted. During our stay in this city, we worked on making an Index to the library of the house, which did not have one, and we had the pleasure of finishing this task before our departure. We also worked at hearing confessions and at giving [spiritual] direction to extern priests on retreat in the house while we were there. The next day, [Antonio] Boboni told us of his wish to go home to his family in San Remo to bid farewell to his family. He received the permission, and said he would rejoin us in Mar- seilles. On the advice of Father De Andreis, we wrote him to stay [in San Remo], etc. Father Pereira treated us the same as he had at Civitavecchia. One day, he did not come to dinner. We thought he was ill. Several hours after, he sent a letter to Father Nervi, and another to Father Rosati, in which he said that he no longer had the courage to give in person his final farewells to his confreres, whom he loved so, and consequently he was doing so by letter. In this way, he informed of us the resolution he had taken to return to Rome to quiet his troubled conscience. It had continued to reproach him for leaving his aged mother, who was in need of his presence. He did not return to the house, but stayed with a goldsmith whom he knew. When we left, he was still in Genoa, and he stayed there for some time after our departure. Father Nervi wrote us about this in Bordeaux, and told us that this priest had found himself reduced to the worst need. He came to [Father Nervi] and through the charity of a pious woman, he found him the funds for his trip to Rome. During our stay in Genoa, we had the consolation of seeing the Internal Seminary [novitiate] opened in our house when Father [Lorenzo] Elena, already a priest, was received. Father [Cristoforo] Spinelli, who had known us in Rome where he had been among the imperial [Napoleon’s] Missionaries, had come to make his retreat at Fasolo. He was the means which Providence used to call to our mission the two excellent confreres, Father [Joseph] Caretti, a canon, and Father [Andrew] Ferrari, a priest of Port Maurice. These two gentlemen had heard the news of the mission which we were undertaking in Louisiana by writing to Father Acquaroni, 11 and after they had consulted with Father Spinelli, they resolved to give themselves to the Mission, as they have already done. Tuesday, 28 November. At last we bade farewell to our confreres in Genoa, who saw us leave with some regret, especially the superior, who went with us, tears in his eyes. We thought we would leave immediately, but the sailors and the captain extended our departure until the next day. We dined on board, and spent the night in the port of Genoa. Wednesday, 29 November. We left port on this day. The wind was favorable. In the evening we were just outside of Savona. During the night we passed by Port Maurice.

4 Thursday, 30 November. In the evening we saw the villages below San Remo. After noon we saw Mentone, Monaco, etc. In the evening before nightfall we were outside of Nice. Friday, 1 December. In the morning we arrived at Saint , a small village on the seacoast, a half-league from Frejus in Provence. We had to go there to unload some goods belonging to two gentlemen who had to come on the same boat. We spent the entire day there. We dined in the village, and in the priest's house, which François [Boranvanski] had mistakenly thought was an inn. He treated it as such, and asked the people to give the guests their soup, fruit, cheese, etc. Finally we realized the mistake. We made our excuses to the pastor, who recognized us as Lazarists. He told us that he loved the Lazarists greatly, as he had made his studies in our college in Avignon. He told us with great politeness that he was not bothered by our mistake. Saturday, 2 December. We left Saint Raphael. We made only a little distance because of contrary wind, and we had to spend the night in the Gulf of Saint Tropez. Sunday, 3 December. Despite the unfavorable wind, we sailed along the coast to the Gulf of Cavallere where we arrived two or three hours after noon. The violence of the wind forced us to stop there. Cavallere is a little place where the small houses are exposed to the wind. There are five or six houses for fishermen, a very poor inn, a fort and a customs office. Monday, 4 December. We stayed in the same gulf because of the wind, which in Provence they call the Mistral, and in this province it is very dangerous when it is contrary. We made walks in the woods, and bought some fish. We ate and slept on board, and had some worries from the customs officials. This happened because of some small pieces of cork which had been taken and brought on board. Tuesday, 5 December. Since the mistral was growing stronger, and since we were told that it would still last a long time, we resolved to go to Marseilles by land. We left François [Boranvanski] on board, and at noon, since we could find no horses, we started out. We were fasting, since we had only a bit of a biscuit with us. A customs official served as our guide, thanks to five francs which we gave him. At the same time, he carried a bag for us in which we had put some of the most necessary items. On foot we had to cross mountains, forests and sandy stretches along the coast. Wild fruit which we set out to find, and which seemed delicious, was the only food we took along with the piece of biscuit. Around 4:00 p.m. we arrived in a little village called Levantdoux. Our guide left us there. We broke our fast with one egg apiece, and with some bread. After this we tried to get some transportation. With some difficulty, we found four mules which had left loaded with wheat for Hieres. They had neither saddles or stirrups or bridles. We arrived very tired at Hieres at 11:30 p.m. We spent the night there. At 4:00 a.m., we left in an open cart. At 11:00 a.m., we arrived in Toulon. We ate there. At noon we left in a carriage. At 10:00 p.m. we arrived at Cuge, and we stopped there for two hours for supper. Thursday, 7 December. At midnight we left. At 3:00 a.m. we arrived in Marseilles. We stopped at an inn called the Oriol to wait for daybreak. Early in the morning, Father Acquaroni and Father Rosati went to the Church of Providence. The first said mass there. He thought he would find there Father Charle, superior of the Retraite Chretienne, whom he knew well, and at whose home he hoped to lodge one of us. But he was away giving a mission. After mass, we went to the parish called “les Réformés” dedicated to Saint Vincent de Paul. This was the parish of Father Acquaroni during his long stay in Marseilles. Fathers Ricaud, the pastor, Berard, Carle, Galicien, Julien and [Pierre-Augustin] Giraud, his assistants, greeted him with great pleasure and all these priests treated him very politely from his first day there. They had me say mass although I wanted to wait for the permission of the vicar general.

5 The same morning, Father Carle took me to stay with the ladies called Glandeves de Niocelle. One cannot express the kindness with which they received us in this house. These two elderly ladies, who from their youth were devoted to works of charity, still exercise it toward the clergy. It was a miracle that they did so during the time of the Terror. Their house was the usual refuge of priests, and meeting place of the faithful, and one of the hidden churches of Marseilles. This is why the Holy Father, and the archbishops of Aix have granted them favors and privileges which would be judged exorbitant for everyone else. They have a domestic chapel where one may say as many masses as he wishes. They expose the Blessed Sacrament every feast day and Sunday, and once a month during the entire day. I found my happiness in this chapel where I would say mass every day, and vespers on Sunday, and my spiritual reading in the evenings, and common prayer with the household. It was here that I began to give my sermons in poor French. Father Acquaroni went to stay with Mr. Leonard Carsamiglia, his brother-in-law. We were much obliged to this gentleman for the great services which he rendered us. He showed us great friendship in often inviting us to dinner at his him, and he showered us with all sorts of kindnesses. They others stayed at the inn called Chez Auguste for the first day. Then Father Spezioli stayed with Father Carle, who has showed himself very devoted to him. Mr. Deys stayed with Father Dugaz. We went to call on the vicar general, Father Martin. He received us politely and gave us the faculty of celebrating [mass]. Friday, 8 December. We all went to the parish. I performed the office of deacon, and Father Acquaroni the subdeacon. After dinner, we went to the sermon. This was the first that I had understood in French. Sunday, 10 December. I sang the high mass at the parish. After dinner, vespers, and I gave Benediction. Ordinarily, on all the feast days we would go to the parish where we would attend in surplice the ceremonies they were conducting. Tuesday, 20 December. The arrival of the boat, and of François [Boranvanski]. Mr. Carsamiglia took charge of having our bags unloaded, and received permission from the customs office. He put them in one of his warehouses, and gave the key to the customs. He had them wrapped and then sent them to Mr. Bonnin, his representative. We had always planned on traveling to Bordeaux by water, of embarking at Marseilles for Cette [Sète], and from there by canal to go to Toulouse, and from Toulouse to Bordeaux on the Garonne River. Providence, which watches over us, disposed otherwise in a way that kept us from following this plan. Mr. Carsamiglia and two others of his friends told us the dangers to which we were going to expose ourselves if we would embark for Sète in this season, which was so bad for sailing rather than stay where we were. We changed our plan after this advice. It was a good thing for us. We learned some months later in Montpellier that of the 21 boats which traveled in the Gulf of Lyons in that period, 19 were lost. This caused people to believe that we had been lost. Monday, 25 December. At midnight, because of a privilege, I celebrated at the house where I was staying the first two masses at midnight. Afterward, we went to the parish. I was deacon, and Father Acquaroni subdeacon, and the same for the daytime mass. I said the third mass in the domestic chapel.

[1816]

6 Monday, 1 January, 1816. At church, ut de more ("as usual.") Vespers in the domestic chapel, where they forced me to give an extempore instruction. This was the first that I had done in very bad French, since it was not yet a month that I began to stammer in this language. Saturday, 6 January. At church, ut de more ("as usual,") and my second instruction in French in the little chapel. Thursday, 11 January. After bidding farewell to our friends on the previous day, and saying mass at 2:45 in the little chapel, at which the whole household attended, we left at 4:00 in the coach, which was just for us. We were unable to leave this city without experience the tenderest feelings of thanks toward our benefactors. They went with us to the inn where the coach was, and gave us provisions of food for the journey, and mass stipends, etc., etc. At 11, we reached Aix. While the horses rested, we went to town. There we saw Father [Charles Emmanuel] Verbert, a priest of our congregation. 12 To save money during our trip, we would eat breakfast in the coach with something which we had brought from Marseilles, or with some chicken which we had saved from the evening's supper. We would buy only one bottle of wine and sometimes some bread. During rest periods for the horses, we would go to visit the churches in the places in which we stopped. In the evening, we slept at Lombieres. Friday, 12 January. The evening at Saint Remy where we slept. Saturday, 13 January. We crossed the Rhone at Tarascon. In the evening at Nimes. When we arrived, at 4:00 p.m., Father Acquaroni went to see the vicar general to get the faculty of saying mass. At first, [the vicar general] did not want to receive him. When he finally received him, he did not even want to see our ordination papers, and told him dryly that he did not want to grant him the faculty of celebrating, unless he had all the possible papers, etc. Sunday, 14 January. We left at 4:00 a.m. The driver promised us that he would stop at Lunel where we would be able to hear mass. Actually, we arrived in time to hear the high mass after which we went to see the pastor, and he wanted to keep us for dinner. But we had to leave. We had a letter for a priest whom we thought was at Lunel, but he was elsewhere. In the evening we were at Montpellier. We arrived there late. This is because we did not go to see the bishop, a good friend of Bishop Dubourg, who had given us letters for him, but we had lost them. That evening, the driver of the coach, who had to take us to Toulouse, asked us to permit him to hand us over to another coachman. We agreed, but the next day, we found the new coach to be very bad, and the horses could not travel. Monday, 15 January. The evening at Pezenas. Tuesday, 16 January. At 8:00 at Beziers. The coachman came to tell us that his horses were no longer in a condition to continue the trip. He had wanted to have us embark on the canal. We did want to do so. He got another very good coach. That evening at Narbonne. Wednesday, 17 January. The evening at Carcassonne. Thursday, 18 January. The evening at Castelnaudary. Friday, 19 January. The evening at Toulouse.

[Section Two: Toulouse to Bordeaux]

Father Acquaroni went to the seminary. He returned there with Father Vieusse, who had accompanied Father Dubourg in Italy. He guided us to the minor seminary. Father , the superior, Father Combe the treasurer, and Father [blank] the director, all received us with great politeness. Father Acquaroni, Father Spezioli, François [Boranvanski] and I stayed in this

7 seminary. The next day, we went to visit Father D'Arbout, superior of the seminary, Father La Faurie, etc. We also went to visit the archbishop, and we had known at Toulouse Father [Jean] Compans, a priest of our congregation who had shown us great friendship. He made us a gift of several books, etc., etc. Bishop Dubourg had suggested that we stop at Toulouse if someone invited us to remain there. In fact, they wanted to engage us. But since they had only two rooms to give us, and they had move out those who lived in them, we resolved to go to Bordeaux. We wrote to Father Vincent [Wlechmans], a canon of the Metropole [cathedral] and a priest of our congregation, for whom we had letters from Mr. Dubourg. Wednesday, 24 January. While we were waiting an answer, Father De Andreis arrived in Toulouse with Father Marliani, 13 a priest from Rome, Mr. Casto Gonzalez, a Spanish cleric, Mr. Francis Xavier Dahmen, a German cleric, and Brother Martin Blanka. These gentlemen, except for the brother, had left Rome on 15 December by coach. The next day at Monteroni, Father [Joseph] Buzieres, a French priest who had already been accepted for this mission by Bishop Dubourg, joined them. They spent the 16th at Otricoli, the 17th at Spoleto, the 18th at Nocera, the 19th at Candiano, the 20th at Fossombrone, the 21st at La Cattolica, the 22nd at Cesena, the 23rd at Castel San Pietro, the 24th at Castelfranco, where they celebrated the liturgy, the 25th at Marsaglia, the 26th at Borgo San Donnino. On the 27th they arrived at Piacenza, where they stopped in the Collegio Alberoni until the 30th, when they left with Brother Blanka. That evening they arrived at Stradella; the 31st at Tortona, January 1st at Asti, the 2nd at Turin. They left there on the 5th. The 6th they spent at Mont Cenis, the 7th they arrived in the morning at Bramante without being able to proceed because of the snow brought in by the storm which put them all in danger of being buried, and they had been badly treated. On the 8th, they were in Saint Michel, the 9th at Aigue-Belle, the 10th at Biviers, the 11th at Tullins, the 12th at Saint Marcelin in the morning and in the evening at Romans; on the morning of the 13th in Valence, where Father Buzieres left the company to see his parents in Clermont with the plan of rejoining them in Bordeaux. But he remained in France. In the evening they arrived in Loriol, the 14th at Pierrelatte, the 15th at Terac, the 16th at Lunel, the 17th at Montpellier, where they stayed at the seminary until the 20th. That evening they arrived at Pezenas, the 21st at Narbonne, the 22nd at Carcassonne, the 23rd at Castelnaudary in the morning, and in the evening at Villefranche; the 24th at Toulouse. 14 Thursday, 25 January. Our recently arrived confreres stopped for the day at Toulouse. They ate at the major seminary, and with the help of Father La Faurie, slept in private homes. We had the happiness of spending the day together. We told our own stories of our trips, the dangers we escaped, the favors received, etc., etc. We agreed that they would leave the next day, and that we would await the answer of Father Vincent [Wlechmans], and that Mr. Deys would leave with them. Friday, 26 January. The departure of Father De Andreis and his group. These men arrived this evening, the 26th, at Agen; arrived the 27th at Castelsarrazin, the 28th at Marmande, the 29th at Langon, the 30th at Bordeaux. They immediately went to the archbishop's residence. The holy bishop, Charles François d'Aviau du Bois de Sanzay, archbishop of Bordeaux, received them as a father would receive his children. He wanted Father De Andreis to stay with him. The others were immediately lodged in private homes, that is, Mr. Dahmen with the Sisters of Charity at Sainte Eulalie, Mr. Casto at the Sisters of Charity of Saint Michel, Mr. Marliani and Mr. Deys with the Sisters of Nevers at the reform school, and Brother Blanka with Father Martial.

8 After the departure of these confreres, we received the very obliging letter of Father Vincent [Wlechmans], who urged us to come to Bordeaux. With the regrets of the priests at the seminary, who had wanted us to waiting for the bishop [Dubourg] at Toulouse, we found a carriage and decided to leave. Friday, 2 February. We went in surplice to a solemn procession which all the clergy in Toulouse, the archbishop at the head, made from the cathedral to the major seminary to transport the body of Saint Pius, the martyr, which we had brought from Rome. Saturday, 3 February. Early in the morning, we left Toulouse by coach. During the morning, we passed by Grisol. In the evening, at Castelsarrazin. (Toulouse to Agen, 32.) Sunday, 4 February. At 10:00 we arrived at [blank] where we three priests said mass. The evening at Agen. Monday, 5 February. The evening at Tonneins. (From Agen to Bordeaux, 37.) Tuesday, 6 February. The evening at Castre. Wednesday, 7 February. At Bordeaux in the afternoon. We stopped at an inn, without taking rooms. Father Acquaroni went to Father Vincent [Wlechmans.] He came back to look for us with Mr. Lanus, a deacon, who was there, etc. We went first to Madame Ganustiau [?] where our baggage was taken, and where Father Acquaroni and Brother Blanka were lodged. Then we all went to Father Vincent [Wlechmans], near the church of Saint Sernin, where we ate dinner. After dinner, we went to call on the archbishop, who gave us a fatherly welcome. Father Spezioli was lodged with Father Martial, and I lodged with Father Vincent [Wlechmans] at La Reunion. This good confrere was very happy to have me with him, and he always treated me with signs of the greatest affection. We made our readings, our examinations, we always said the breviary together, we took walks together. It seemed that I was in one of the houses of the Congregation. I still had the convenience of saying mass in the chapel of the Sisters of La Reunion, where Father Vleckmans [Wlechmans] or Vincent is the founder and superior, without leaving the house. I will never forget this good and virtuous confrere, or the religious who were so interested in our Mission, not only by the prayers which they offered and promised to offer forever, but also by the other services and work which they did for us, and especially their very worthy superior, Madame Fatin. François [Boranvanski] was lodged at the minor seminary, which he made the acquaintance of Medard [De Lattre] who later decided to join us. Thursday, 8 February. We went to call on Madame Fournier, sister of Bishop Dubourg. She had traveled only a few months before from Baltimore to Bordeaux, and was impatiently awaiting our arrival. From the time of this first interview which we had with her, this respectable lady showed great interest in our Mission, and had us come to her whenever we would have any needs. She has never ceased showing us a truly motherly affection. As soon as she received letters from her brother the bishop, she would tell us the news. During our stay in Bordeaux, Father De Andreis was called upon by the archbishop to go to say holy mass every feast day at the prisons. This prelate took there in person the first time, and gave him all the powers for preaching and hearing confessions. He would go several times each week to hear confessions of the great number who asked for this. He would preach every feast day. Messrs. Deys, Gonzalez and Dahmen first would go for their theology classes at the major seminary. Later, after the bishop judged it more pertinent, Father Rosati had them review logic and metaphysics, and gave them one class each day at Father Vincent [Wlechman's] home.

9 Some days after, Father Acquaroni and Brother Blanka went to stay with the Sisters of Charity at the hospital for incurables, in an apartment near the chaplain, Father Bournac, honorary canon of the cathedral. From the first day on, this respectable priest developed a special affection for them and the other members of the Mission, belonging to our Congregation, to which he had always been very attached. It often would ask us to stay with him after dinner. He would give us large gifts of books and other items for our use. Father Spezioli too, eight or ten days after our arrival in Bordeaux, was sent by the archbishop to Cadillac at the request of the Ladies of Wisdom, who decided to have a priest with them. He was well received. Some months later, he asked for François [Boranvanski.] He was sent to make clothing. Father Spezioli remained at Cadillac, since he did not want to come to Baltimore, alleging in his defense that he had been promised for the Mission of New Orleans, and that he was in no state to learn English. Thursday, March 21. Arrival of Father Caretti, canon of Port Maurice, and of Father Ferrari, a priest of the same city. They had left there on 22 February. They made their trip by land, passing through Nice, Marseilles, Aix, etc., as far as Beziers, where they embarked on the canal as far as Toulouse, and from Toulouse they came down the Garonne, and arrived at Bordeaux. Everyone was charmed with these two new companions, who came to replace the two who had left us. Father Caretti went to stay with Father Martial, and Father Ferrari went to the Sisters of Charity at the Manufacture. Toward the end of Lent, Fathers Rosati, Acquaroni and Marliani made their annual retreat. Fathers De Andreis and Rosati gave instructions to the Religious of La Reunion, and the last one, on 25 March, in the chapel of La Reunion, was a sermon on the feast of the day, and Father Ferrari also gave sermons at the church of the Manufacture, celebrated baptisms, etc. Wednesday of Holy Week, 10 April. We all went to the church of the Reform School where we sang the offices of Tenebrae. Holy Thursday, 11 April. We celebrated the offices in the same church in the evening. Good Friday, 12 April. The morning offices in the same church. At noon, Father De Andreis celebrated the function of the Three Hours' Agony at the church of Our Lady of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, a ceremony new to Bordeaux. The church was filled with people. Everyone enjoyed this ceremony, which they said they wanted to continue in the following years. Holy Saturday, 13 April. High mass at the church of the Reform School.

[Section Three: Dubourg’s Journey]

Wednesday, 22 May. On the Vigil of the Assumption, Bishop Dubourg, our bishop, arrived at Bordeaux with Father [Joseph] Tichitoli. We had left this bishop in Rome when we left. He was occupied by the interests of his vast diocese, especially by the sending of missionaries. For him to get the means necessary, he went to Naples with Father De Andreis. They arrived 31 November 1815 after a trip of three days. Our confreres in Naples were delighted to house him with them at de' Vergini where they tried to treat him with the respect which his dignity and merits demanded. Father [Fortunato] Masturzi in particular took to heart the interests of the mission, as did Cardinal [Aloysio] Ruffo [Scilla, archbishop of Naples], and others. The bishop spoke with the king [of Naples, Ferdinando I,] who received him very well, but this audience did not have any result. 15 Many of

10 our priests and brothers in Naples offered to join our band. But the foundation of four new houses which were to be founded in the kingdom did not allow the superiors to grant them that permission. The most determined were Fathers Girardi, [Emanuele] De Ecclesiis and [Nicola] Legnito, and Brother [Michele Arcangelo] Lovini. 16 After two weeks, the bishop and Mr. Dubourg returned to Rome. He remained there after the departure of Father De Andreis until [blank] the day of his departure from Rome with Father Bighi. As he passed by Lake Trasimeno, he was miraculously delivered from death which he would surely have found under the ruins of the tower of a Franciscan church which fell into a courtyard one moment after he had left there. At Florence he spoke with the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinando [III], who came to the help of the mission with his generous gifts. At Milan, he had an audience with the emperor of Austria, Francis II, who was in the city at that time, but this had no result. The nobility of Milan was more generous, among whom the Vice Governor of Milan distinguished himself. In this city the bishop received into his company Mr. Tichitoli, a young cleric from Como. He took the trouble to get him a passport, and this young man left Milan calling himself the bishop's manservant. They left 11 March and in the evening arrived at Vercelli, the 12th at Chivasso, and the 13th at Turin. The merits of Bishop Dubourg were recognized in this city. People spoke of him with praises in the public papers. He had an audience with King Victor Emmanuel, who showed great interest in the mission with the financial help which gave, as well as with that of Queen Maria Theresa of Austria, and by his promise to still be helpful to the bishop in the future. They left Turin on 20 March, spent the night at Susa. On the 21st, they were at the hospice of the monks at Mont Cenis, the 24th at Chambery, the 26th at Lyons. In this city he was showered with help for the mission, with money, sacred vessels, and church ornaments of all kinds. The bishop celebrated the Holy Saturday ordinations, the consecration of the Holy Oils on Holy Thursday, and on Easter he pontificated, gave Confirmation and preached in nine churches. He received many subjects for the mission. He left there on 20 April, and spent the night at Valence. (Father Bighi had left on 30 March for Paris, first on foot, and from Amiens on by carriage. He went to the seminary of Saint Sulpice.) On the 21st, he celebrated an ordination during the pontifical mass. After dinner, pontifical vespers, sermon, etc. On the 22nd in the evening, he left there, spent the night of the 23rd at Avignon, on the 24th he crossed the Rhone in the evening, and on the morning of the 25th, reached Nimes. He left there the 30th. He spent the night at Montpellier where he stopped for twelve days. On 12 May he left with the bishop of Montpellier, Bishop [Marie Nicolas] Fournier. On the 13th, he was at Beziers where he gave Confirmation. On the 16th, he embarked on the canal. On the 18th he was in Toulouse, and left there the 20th. On the 22nd in the evening, he reached Bordeaux. We immediately learned this news which we had so long desired. We went to Father Caseau where he was staying, and we received his blessing and his paternal embrace. Thursday, 23 May. Ascension Day. We went to the cathedral for the high mass, at which our bishop assisted. Tuesday, 28 May. Bishop Dubourg gave the tonsure to Mr. Deys, Mr. Tichitoli, Mr. Casto, and Mr. Dahmen in the chapel of La Reunion. He accompanied this ceremony with a touching exhortation to the ordinands. It brought tears to the eyes of the majority of those present.

11 Saturday, 1 June. Vigil of Pentecost. The bishop gave the four minor orders to those mentioned above in the chapel of the residence of Father Martial. Before the ceremony he gave a sermon. Sunday, 2 June. Pentecost. Bishop Dubourg pontificated at the cathedral in the morning and at vespers. We all attended. Monday, 3 June. Our bishop pontificated in the morning at Saint Eloi. He gave a sermon to the children to whom he was going to give their first communion, and in the evening at Vesp- ers he gave a second sermon before giving confirmation to the same children. Sunday, 9 June. Trinity Sunday. The bishop pontificated in the morning and evening, and preached at Saint Seurin [Sernin]. We had already determined that our departure would be soon. Pressing reasons contrary to those, which one who have thought should have wrecked our mission to New Orleans, caused us to go first to that city, but to stay in Saint Louis, and from there to spread out in Upper Louisiana. We would therefore have to travel to Baltimore, and go from there by land to Pittsburgh, embark on the Ohio River to get to Saint Louis. When we were speaking about finding a ship for Baltimore, there was one which was going to leave in a few days. Providence disposed that we would not hire this ship but another which was going to leave a few days later. We would have perished if it had happened. In Baltimore they assured us the ship had gone down.

[Section Four: Bordeaux to Baltimore]

We hired a brig called the Ranger. The captain was a Protestant named Mr. James Frazer of Baltimore. The crew was almost entirely Protestant, since only one sailor and one slave were Catholics. The ship was all ours. There was only a young man from Baltimore, named Mr. Norris, who was to come with us. In the captain's room there was only one bed for us. He had another room prepared, lit only from [light coming in from] above. When it rained, we either had to be in the dark or have rain in the room. There were twelve cabins, six on each side, of which three were on the top deck and three on the second. They were suitable enough. In the middle was a table which had to serve for eating, and in the morning for an altar. We expressly agreed with the captain that we would be free to do all the exercises of our religion as we wished. He was responsible for feeding us. The price was 600 francs each. There were thirteen of us: Fathers De Andreis, Acquaroni, Rosati, Caretti, Ferrari, priests; Messrs. Deys, Gonzalez, Tichitoli, Dahmen, in minor orders; Brothers Blanka, François [Boranvanski], Medard De Lattre and Jean Flegifont. These last two were French, and postulant brothers. When everything was ready, we put on secular clothes, with round hats, since as we embarked, we had to put away our clothing and other signs of being clergy. We bade farewell to the friends we had made in Bordeaux, and it was painful for them to have us leave. We will never forget: 1. Bishop d'Aviau, the worthy archbishop of Bordeaux. We owe to him the charitable reception which we received in this city, and the care which we received from all sides. As soon as he received the news of our near arrival, he went himself in person to the different houses where he thought we could be lodged to obtain this charity for us. We were still quite far from Bordeaux when he had already prepared lodging for each of us. During our stay in this city, he never ceased making us experience the effects of his charity toward us, especially in the person of Father De Andreis who stayed with him. When we departed, after giving us his blessing, he

12 promised that he would never forget us in his prayers. With tears in his eyes, he embraced each of us, and left us only at the gate of his palace. 2. Madame Fournier, whose care for us seemed to double as the day of our departure approached. She took care of our needs, down to the smallest details of whatever she could do for us, not only of what was necessary, but also for us to make the trip less painful, and to soften the discomfort inseparable in such a trip. She worked for us as would a mother for her own children. 3. Father Vincent [Wlechmans], of whom I spoke above, and also of his Sisters. 4. The Sisters of Charity, who rendered us considerable services, and who made for our journey provisions of liquors, medicines and preventives. Among these good sisters, we will always recall the superior of Sainte Eulalie, and Sister Felicity, who cared for Father De Andreis while he was suffering from his habitual indispositions; the superior of the Incurables, Sister Elizabeth [blank] who made us remarkable presents of different objects for our use; the superior of Saint , etc. 5. Father Martial, who showed himself very attached to us; Father Bournac, Father Boyer, the vicar general, Father Fossen, Father Castal, because of the care which he took, and with the permission of the archbishop set up a library for the seminary of Louisiana with the duplicates of the seminary in Bordeaux. We will also remember Fr. Cone who enlarged that library with his gifts of books, etc. Monday, 10 June. Bishop Dubourg called us all together. He offered us a touching discourse in which one could see the sentiments of his heart toward us, etc. He gave his some information, and declared Father De Andreis his vicar general, and ended by giving us his blessing and embracing us. We were supposed to leave today, but the passports which we did not think necessary, but which really were, kept us back. Wednesday, 12 June. Since Bishop Dubourg had returned to the archbishop's residence with all our band, we all went back to the port, and at 10:00 a.m. we boarded a sloop with the captain and Mr. Norris to join the ship which was waiting for us a Poliac. We were the thirteen mentioned above. But Father Marliani remained sick at Bordeaux because of very considerable difficulties. At 2:20 p.m. we arrived at Bec d'Ambese. We dined there, and at 8:00 we left. At midnight, we arrived on board our brig, and spent the rest of the night there. Thursday, 13 June. Corpus Christi. We got off at Poliac. Father De Andreis and Father Acquaroni said mass, and the others received communion. After the mass, we saw the pastor who gave us several purificators. He thought that we should stay there. He had prepared lodging for everyone. We thanked him, but at 8:00 a.m. we left Poliac. At 3:00 p.m. we arrived at the Verdun roads where we dropped anchor. Friday, 14 June. At 7:00 a.m. we left. Since the ship had a good wind it made good progress, and all five priests said mass. At 8:00 a.m. we arrived at the sea. Everyone suffered the usual problems today. Toward evening we passed along the coast of Spain. Saturday, 15 June. Today no office, no mass. Everyone sick to the stomach. From yesterday at 8:00 until noon today, we made 111 miles or 60 miles direct. At 10:00 we were abreast of Portugal. Sunday, 16 June. Fathers De Andreis and Acquaroni said mass. Father De Andreis gave the homily in French. The others received communion. We could see Spain. At noon we were across from the island of Saint . From yesterday, 112 miles.

13 Monday, 17 June. Fathers De Andreis and Ferrari celebrated mass. Several others received communion. We lost sight of land. Favorable wind, but weak toward noon. Since yesterday we made 117 miles. Tuesday, 18 June. No mass, the sea was too disturbed. Rain. Wind nearly favorable. Father Acquaroni with fever. Since yesterday we traveled 106 miles. Wednesday, 19 June. Father Ferrari said mass. Several received communion. Father De Andreis sick. Since yesterday to noon 96 miles. Thursday, 20 June. Fathers Ferrari and Acquaroni said mass; others received communion. Contrary wind. Since yesterday, 71 miles. Friday, 21 June. Father Ferrari said mass. The majority of the others received communion. Since yesterday to noon, 51 miles. After noon, the wind was very favorable and strong. Saturday, 22 June. Father De Andreis said mass. Favorable wind. Rain. At noon, since yesterday, 65 miles. Sunday, 23 June. Father De Andreis gave the sermon; then he said the mass, as did Fathers Caretti, Ferrari and Acquaroni. Favorable wind. Since yesterday, 162 miles. After dinner we chanted vespers after preparing the altar. Father Acquaroni officiated in surplice. Afterward he gave benediction with the relic of the saint. 17 Monday, 24 June. Fathers De Andreis, Caretti and Ferrari said mass. Father Acquaroni sang it. At noon we had traveled since yesterday 81 miles. We chanted vespers. Tuesday, 25 June. Fathers Ferrari, Acquaroni and Caretti said mass. Contrary wind. At 10:30 we saw a ship. The captains spoke to each other. The ship came from Boston, and had left nineteen days ago. At noon, 48 miles. We saw the Azores from atop the masts. Wednesday, 26 June. Fathers De Andreis and Acquaroni said mass. Contrary wind. Navigation north-west. At noon, 61 miles. Thursday, 27 June. Fathers De Andreis and Ferrari said mass. Contrary wind. At noon, 60 miles. Friday, 28 June. Fathers De Andreis and Ferrari said mass. Contrary wind. A pod of porpoises surrounded our ship for more than two hours. It was not possible to catch one. At noon, 58 miles. After dinner, we sang vespers. Rain. Calm. Saturday, 29 June. Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Fathers De Andreis and Acquaroni said mass, despite the strong movement of the ship. This morning, rain and favorable wind. At noon since yesterday, 107 miles. We saw two English ships which were coming from America. We sang vespers. Sunday, 30 June. Commemoration of Saint Paul. We had a spiritual conference on the virtues of Saint Paul, etc. Father Acquaroni said mass and Father De Andreis sang his. Very favorable wind. At noon, we had made 177 miles since yesterday. We sang vespers. Monday, 1 July. Fathers De Andreis, Acquaroni and Ferrari said mass, etc. 134 miles. In the evening, we saw some very large fish. Tuesday, 2 July. Fathers De Andreis, Ferrari and Acquaroni said mass. We continued to see some fish. At noon, 81 miles. Wednesday, 3 July. Fathers De Andreis, Acquaroni and Rosati said mass. 74 miles. Thursday, 4 July. Rain during the night. At 5:00 a.m. we saw two English warships which were going to Europe. We had resolved to say only two masses daily because we lacked wine and candles. Fathers [blank] and Caretti said mass. John [Flegifont] fell sick. In the morning, we

14 were at the half-way point of our trip. At noon, since yesterday, 60 miles. In the evening we saw fish which leapt some eight or ten feet out of the water. Friday, 5 July. Fathers Acquaroni and Ferrari said mass. Favorable wind, but very weak. This morning we saw some plants which seemed like clusters of wild grapes. The current of the Gulf of Mexico brought them to us. At noon, 95 miles. Saturday, 6 July. Favorable wind. Fathers De Andreis and Rosati said mass. We saw some flying fish. By noon, 95 miles. Sunday, 7 July. Fathers Ferrari and Acquaroni said mass. Father De Andreis gave the sermon. 130 miles. Monday, 8 July, Father De Andreis said mass. We saw a Spanish ship and another English one. By noon, 158 miles. At 8:30 p.m. a flying fish fell onto the ship. We grabbed it. It was still living. The next day, we had it cooked for the sick. It had a very good taste. Tuesday, 9 July. Fathers De Andreis and Ferrari said mass. Very favorable wind. The rocking of the ship has made us all crazy. By noon, 155 miles. Wednesday, 10 July. Only Father Acquaroni said mass because all the others were very indisposed. Very favorable wind. By noon, 166 miles. Father De Andreis attacked by violent pains. At 3:00 p.m., a storm. It nearly took off all the sails. We have begun the Novena of Saint Vincent de Paul. Thursday, 11 July. Rain during the night and the day. No mass. We caught some flying fish. By noon, 118 miles. After noon, contrary but very weak wind. Friday, 12 July. Rain night and day. Very strong south-west wind. The movement of the ship was very great. No one said mass. Everything fell over, chairs, bottles, and even the ladder. A wave hit the negro who served a dozen plates which fell into the sea. By noon, 91 miles. Saturday, 13 July. From 2:00 a.m. until morning, a storm. In place of mass, we said other prayers because of the contrary wind which blew very strongly. At noon, 150 miles. Sunday, 14 July. This morning, we first gave a blessing with the relic of Saint Francis, and then Father De Andreis said mass, and several among us received communion. During the day, a very strong wind, and nearly contrary. The ship was terribly buffeted, and we were all tossed around. By noon, 102 miles. That night, the contrary wind grew stronger. The rain poured down from the sky. The waves came into the room and almost drenched the beds. The lamps with their somber light increased the fear that we were experiencing. Monday, 15 July. The weather was not as awful as last night. Yet the water continued to fall, and the strong wind was nearly contrary. By noon, 105 miles. Tuesday, 16 July. Fathers De Andreis, Acquaroni, Ferrari and Caretti said mass. No wind. By noon, 87 miles. Wednesday, 17 July. Fathers De Andreis and Ferrari said mass. By noon, 120 miles. At 8:00 p.m. the wind started to blow strongly from the coast of Baltimore. Rain during the night. Thursday, 18 July. Vigil of Saint Vincent de Paul. No one said mass because of the movement of the ship. By noon, 69 miles. Several of us were occupied with preparing the decorations for the feast of this saint. We carpeted the room with clean bed clothes. We decorated the altar with small pictures, paper flowers, ribbons, etc., etc. We exposed the relic of the saint, and had four candles burning before it. We chanted vespers. Afterward, Father De Andreis read in the name of all a vow which we had decided to make to God through the intercession of Saint Vincent to obtain a happy outcome of our journey. 18 We promised with this

15 vow to make a novena and to fast on the vigil of 27 September, the day of his death, and to celebrate his feast on that day. Friday, 19 July. Fathers De Andreis, Ferrari and Acquaroni said mass. Father Caretti chanted the solemn mass. The others received communion. After dinner, we sang vespers. We obtained a favor for a negro who had been sentenced to be passed under the ship. Calm. By noon, 83 miles. Saturday, 20 July. Fathers Acquaroni, Ferrari and Caretti said mass. A huge fish came very close to the ship, and was wounded by a pistol shot fired by the captain, but we could not catch it. By noon, 38 miles. We tried three times, but could not find the sea bottom. Sunday, 21 July. Father De Andreis said mass, and gave a conference. The others could not say mass, since the sea was greatly disturbed. By noon, 111 miles. After noon, calm. Monday, 22 July. Fathers De Andreis and Acquaroni said mass. Calm until noon. 48 miles. After noon, good wind until night. Tuesday, 23 July. Fathers De Andreis, Ferrari and Acquaroni said mass. This morning, we saw two whales spouting water to an amazing height. Some water birds amused us. They followed our ship and picked up the fat that we threw to them. Good wind. By noon, 86 miles. From noon to 6:00 p.m., 42 miles. At 6:00 p.m. we sounded, and with universal joy we found the bottom at 12 fathoms. We recognized that we were 13 miles from the Virginia coast. Nevertheless, we could not yet see land, since in this region it is very low. At 6:15 we saw a sloop with sails coming toward us. This was the coastline pilot. At 6:30 he came on board. At 7:00 someone saw land from atop the masts. At 8:00 evening, saw land on the bridge. We could see the Cape Henry lighthouse. At 10:30 we entered Chesapeake Bay, and dropped anchor around midnight close to little Smith's Island. Wednesday, 24 July. Everyone hurried to get up to see for the first time the coast of America which for so long they had desired. We found them pleasant, although they offered nothing to our gaze except woods, which nevertheless seemed truly picturesque on the hills, and these plains interrupted by inlets and the rivers which covered them. At sunrise, we weighed anchor. Father De Andreis said a mass of thanksgiving, after which we sang the Te Deum with the usual prayers. Father Acquaroni and Ferrari also said mass. We traveled all day. Thursday, 25 July. Fathers De Andreis, Rosati and Caretti said mass. At 10:00 a.m. we were off Annapolis. After noon, the contrary wind greatly slowed us. At 6:00 we had rounded the North Cape. At 8:30 we dropped anchor across from Fort Baltimore. We had to wait until the next day to disembark. The captain and Mr. Norris went ashore on the dinghy. Father Acquaroni and Tichitoli did not want to wait for daybreak to set foot on the land of America. They went on the dinghy, and returned three hours later.

[Section Five: Baltimore to Pittsburgh]

Friday, 26 July. Fathers Rosati and De Andreis said mass. The doctor came aboard at 8:30 and found us all in good health, and gave us permission to disembark. They raised the anchors. But since there was no wind, it was necessary to drag the ship with a sloop into port. We arrived at 11:30, and with no trouble from police or passports, which are unknown in this free land, we

16 came ashore at Fell's Point. From Cape Henry to Baltimore it is 250 miles. The total from Bordeaux to Baltimore is 4280 miles. 19 We had letters for the priests of the seminary of Saint Mary, a good league away. We arrived there after an hour on the road. We found only Father [Simon] Bruté [de Remur] there. He read with great pleasure the letters from Bishop Dubourg, and received us with great politeness. Some after, Father [Peter] Babad came, and after dinner Father [] Marechal, named to the diocese of Philadelphia. Father [John] Tessier, the superior; Father [Joseph] Haran [Harent], the econome, and others were in the country with the seminarians and the college boys. They returned a few days later, and as with the others whom we had known first, they too showered us with kindness and were very interested in our mission. After dinner, we when to Mr. [Luke] Tiernan, a Catholic businessman, a good friend of Bishop Dubourg, to whom had been address the letter of exchange which we had. It promised to help us, etc., etc. For the evening, we all slept at the seminary. Saturday, 27 July. Father [John] Moranvillier [Moranvillé], a French priest belonging to the seminary of the Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, who before the revolution had exercised the holy ministry in Cayenne, pastor of ['s, Fell's] Point, wanted to house a priest with him. We sent Father Ferrari and Brother Medard [De Lattre]. Father Enoch Fenwick, an American Jesuit, pastor of the parish of , and vicar general of Father [Leonard] Neale, already the coadjutor, and after the death of Archbishop [John] Carroll, archbishop of Baltimore, lodged Father Caretti and Mr. Casto at his home. All the others of us stayed at the seminary. From that time we began to work to unload our effects. Mr. Tiernan and Father Marechal spoke about this to the Collector of Customs. He was astonished at the number of boxes and cases which we had, and did not want to count them as our baggage, especially since on the captain's papers, the baggage had been listed under the name of Bishop Dubourg. At last, by a special favor they got the baggage transported to the seminary, where we would separate what belonged to us individually from the other things which were for the common use of the Mission. Also, this estimation would be done by two experts chosen, one by us, and the other by him. These two experts were Mr. Call and Mr. Laurenston. They came, gave their appraisal, and we paid [blank] 20 for the duties. As soon as we arrived in Baltimore, Father De Andreis wrote to Bishop [Benedict Joseph] Flaget and sent him the letter of Bishop Dubourg. We could not leave Baltimore until we had received the answer of Bishop Flaget. We had it about four weeks later. He wrote us to set out for Pittsburgh. He had already planned that Mr. Beelen, a Catholic businessman living in Pittsburgh, would find us a boat and receive our baggage. We alerted him again from Baltimore. Mr. Maguire, a very pious Catholic, rendered us very important services to send our baggage to Pittsburgh. He found three wagons to transport them, and then engaged a stage for us. Saturday, 31 August. Loading our baggage on the wagons. Monday, 2 September. Two of them left. Tuesday, 3 September. Mr. Dahmen, Brothers Blanka, Medard [De Lattre] and François [Boranvanski] left with the third wagon. We fixed our departure for the tenth. Meanwhile, the priests of the seminary redoubled their care for us. They provided for us and personally gave very considerable financial help. Father Fenwick and Father McGuire did the same. The memory of all of these gentlemen will live always in our hearts, and with sentiments of the most lively thanks we recall Fathers [Jean

17 Marie] Tessier, [Ambrose] Marechal, [Pierre] Babad, [Simon] Bruté, [Joseph] Harent, [Enoch] Fenwick, Moranvillier [Moranvillé], [Louis de] Chevigné, [] Cooper, [Francis] Vespres, etc., etc. They gave us very useful English books, etc., etc. We are also very obliged to Madame Saint-Martin. Madame Fournier, a good friend of hers, gave us letters with which she asked her friend to do at Baltimore what she had done in Bordeaux for us. This lady fulfilled her task quite well, in fact. Tuesday, 10 September. At 3:00 a.m., after the three of us celebrated the Holy Mass, we left Baltimore by stage. We were the following: Fathers De Andreis, Acquaroni, Ferrari, Caretti, and Rosati, Messrs. Gonzalez, Deys, Dahmen 21 and Tichitoli. Jean [Flegifont] left us eight days after landing in Baltimore. 22 In our company, we had Mr. Ross, then a student of Saint Mary's College. 23 After finishing his course of studies, he left for New Orleans, his home. We then became only nine in the stage; meanwhile we found there a young Irishman who was going to N[ew] O[rleans]. 24 The rain poured down. Since we were almost alone on the stage, we had the ability of doing our pious exercises without being bothered. In the morning, as soon as we entered the carriage, we said the Itiner- arium Clericorum , the litany of the Blessed , and afterward, made an hour of prayer. Father De Andreis would propose a subject, doing so out loud, since we were unable to read from a book. We concluded with the Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus and the Angelus. Then during the morning, we said the little hours. We would read on route, or at an inn, a chapter of the New Testament, and some book of piety. In the evening, vespers, matins, the rosary, and prayer, etc. We followed almost the same order on the boat during the trip from Baltimore to Bordeaux [ sic ,] our stop in Baltimore, etc. This morning, we traveled far, and the roads were very good. A case that we had placed behind the stage fell and broke. We lost a few things. At 6:30 we arrived at Reisterstown [Md.] We ate breakfast there. 15 miles. 25 At Gettysburg [Pennsylvania] 26 dinner. 27 The stage's spring broke. We crossed South Mountain. 36 miles. Very late in the evening at Chambersburg, where we ate supper and went to bed. Rain accompanied us all day. 24 miles. 28 Wednesday, 11 September. Departure at 3:00 a.m. Rain. At Mercersburg, breakfast. 17 miles. 29 We had passed North Mountain. 30 The stage broke down. Road very bad. We had to get down from the stage from time to time, since it threatened to tip over. Father Deys and Casto nearly broke their legs on a large rock which had come loose from the mountain and fell at their feet, but only dirtied the hem of their garments. Father Acquaroni, Tichitoli and Ross were lost for two hours. Crossing woods, mountains and swamps, they rejoined us at McConnelsburg. 10 miles. At 8:00 p.m., with the light of only two lanterns, as our stage was coming down a mountain, it fell deep into the mud, and two of our houses fell backward. It took three quarters of an hour to lift the horses and straighten up the carriage, with everyone working on it. Such a strong rain fell during this interval that in the evening when we arrived at the inn, the majority of us were all wet down to our shirts. During this entire voyage, we were forced to cross from time to time streams, marshy places, and often flooded plains, where the horses sank up to half their bellies. At 9:30 we arrived at Juniata Crossing, where after we changed clothes as we could, we ate supper and spent the night. 14 miles. 31

18 Thursday, 12 September. 3:00 a.m. departure. The flooding of the waters of the Juniata had covered a great extent of land. Not for a long time had people seen such an extraordinary flood. We had passed Sideling Hill. At Bloodyrun to get to the inn, we had to cross a lot of water. This village, called Bloodyrun because it had been previously inhabited by cruel Indians who everywhere brought iron and blood, was so flooded that to go from one house to another, one had to use a boat. 32 We were besieged on all sides by water until the next day. We when arrived, etc., the bad roads had already broken the springs of the three different stages that we had used. Friday, 13 September. The water was much reduced, and so after breakfast we continued our trip to Snakespring, which is only an inn. We arrived at 11:00. The water had covered the bridge, and we had to stop there. Messrs. De Andreis, Casto, Tichitoli, Ferrari, and Caretti went to the river, a mile and a half from the inn. Meanwhile, the driver dropped our things at the inn, and returned with the stage, leaving us with the bill to ask for a stage at the next station. In this crisis, Mr. Casto and Father Acquaroni went to Bedford, crossing the river on a small boat. 33 Mr. Hyden, a Catholic businessman at Bedford, for whom we had been given a letter, and to whom our two gentlemen presented themselves, urged the postmaster to hasten our departure. Mr. Casto and Acquaroni slept there, and the rest of us at Snakespring. Saturday, 14 September. At 8:00 a.m., Mr. Casto came to look for us. We put our things on a small wagon, and we went on foot to the river. 34 A little boat carried us over, no more than three at a time, to the other side of the river, and then our things. The stage which was awaiting us took us to Bedford (16 miles) where Father Acquaroni joined us, and we continued our trip. Since the roads were ruined, the driver wanted to cross through a forest. There was no road at all; he got lost several times. At 4:00 p.m. we arrived at Schellsburg. 35 The driver wanted to stop there, since it was very dangerous to go cross the Alleghenies at night without a light. We ate supper there and spent the night. Sunday, 15 September. Departure at 4:00 a.m. Fog. We had to go by foot a long way as we crossed the Allegheny mountains. At 10:00 we arrived at the summit of the Allegheny mountains. We ate breakfast there. (23 miles.) At 2:30 we arrived at Stoystown. (12 miles.) The stage which had brought us there returned. The other which was supposed to take us had waited in vain the previous day and left empty. After thus losing our turn, we found ourselves in the impossibility of continuing our voyage by stage. We had been stopped, etc. Monday, 16 September. After breakfast, we sent Mr. Casto on horseback 15 miles from Stoystown to get a stage. At 7:30 he returned without having gotten one. Meanwhile, the other gentlemen 36 arrived from Bedford that night found themselves in the same condition as we were. They agreed to get a wagon to move our baggage and to go by foot to Greensburg, 40 miles from Stoystown. This plan was carried out. Tuesday, 17 September. After breakfast at 8:00 a.m., Father Acquaroni, Casto, Caretti and Rosati went on their way. The others left later with the wagon. At 2:00 p.m., the first four of us who had left arrived at Laughlintown, where we took a bit of bread and continued on our way. (15 miles.) At 7:00 p.m., at Youngstown, where we ate dinner and slept. Father Caretti fell ill. (17 miles.) Wednesday, 18 September. 6:30 departure.

19 At 11:30 at Greensburg. (10 miles.) Two miles before arriving there, as soon as a Catholic learned that we were priests, offered us his horse. Father Caretti made use of it. 37 At 6:00 p.m. the arrival of the other gentlemen with the wagon, which at some distance from Greensburg, had tipped over twice. As soon as we arrived at Greensburg, we tried to hire a stage.38 There was no difficulty in our coming to an agreement. But when the other gentlemen arrived who had taken the wagon with us, there were difficulties, and they went back on their word. At last, happily, another stage arrived from Pittsburgh, and we made our arrangements. Thursday, 19 September. 2:30 a.m. we left on the very crowded stage, since they had given a place to a gentleman and his wife. At 5:00 p.m. we arrived in Pittsburgh. (31 miles.) We stayed at the Western Hotel. 39 From Baltimore to Pittsburgh, 240 miles.

[Section Six: Pittsburgh to Bardstown]

Friday, 20 September. We stayed at the same hotel. Mr. Beelen, the Catholic businessman to whom we had been recommended, had already found us a boat. The pastor of Pittsburgh was on mission, and so we were unable to say mass. 40 Saturday, 21 September. This morning, we left the hotel, where the expenses exceeded our means, and we went to stay with a Catholic woman who had just opened a rooming-house. Mr. [blank] had wanted Father De Andreis and another to stay with him. They had us see the church. There was no chalice. Those which we had were on the wagon. They made some fruitless search, and found only a tin cup in the sacristy. They assured us that it had been used another time to celebrate the holy sacrifice of the mass. To satisfy the desire which all the Catholics of Pittsburgh had, and ourselves too, of not remaining without mass on the following day, a Sunday, we agreed to use it. At 7:00 p.m., Mr. Dahmen and Brother Medard [De Lattre] arrived in Pittsburgh, but we did not see them until the next day at the church. They had left the wagon on 19 September, 75 miles from Pittsburgh. They had made their trip on the Virginia [stage.] Sunday, 22 September. After prayer and the conference, we went to the church at 8:30. Each of the others had said mass, and I sang the high mass at 11:30 after singing the litany of the Blessed Virgin. The church was completely filled with people. At 11:00 a.m., Brothers Blanka and François [Boranvanski] arrived. Brother Blanka was ill. They had stopped for the night 8 miles from Pittsburgh, since they did not have the strength to continue with the trip with the two others who had arrived the evening before. The mother of Father [William F.X.] O'Brien, the pastor, had wanted to have three of us stay with her. We sent Messrs. Caretti, Ferrari and Casto. Monday, 23 September. Fathers Ferrari, Caretti and Rosati said mass. The others received communion. A Catholic presented us with 12 bottles of beer. 41 Another wrote us a letter to offer us his services. We received today the watch which I had forgotten at Snakespring. To get it back, I had written to Mr. Hyden at Bedford. Mr. O'Hara, who, although a Presbyterian, loved the Catholic clergy greatly, had wanted us to eat dinner and supper at his home. Tuesday, 24 September. Father Acquaroni and De Andreis said mass. Mr. O'Hara presented us with a barrel of beer for the trip. Wednesday, 25 September. Father De Andreis and Rosati said mass.

20 Thursday, 26 September. Father De Andreis said mass to fulfill the vow that had made on 18 July while crossing the ocean. We fasted. After noon the two wagons which had left first arrived. The baggage was unloaded onto the boat. We have also had today the consolation of receiving a letter from Father Haran [Harent] of Baltimore, who sent us others from Bordeaux and Italy, in which we had news of our bishop and our confreres. At 6:00 p.m. we chanted first vespers of Saint Vincent, according to the concession granted by our Holy Father, Pope Pius VII, in memory of the fact that on the day of the Saint's death we settled definitively the matter of our mission. Friday, 27 September. All the priests said mass; the others received communion. Father De Andreis sang the high mass. We had a crowd. We saw the owner of the third wagon loaded with our things, which people had said was broken, and who had loaded our baggage at Brownsville. We sang second vespers. Saturday, 28 September. Fathers Ferrari, Acquaroni and De Andreis said mass. Arrival by water of our baggage from the third wagon. Sunday, 29 September. We all said mass. Father De Andreis sang the high mass. We also sang vespers. The church could not hold all those who came there in the morning, and even more in the evening, there were many Protestants among them. Monday, 30 September. Father Ferrari and Father De Andreis said mass. This morning when all was ready for our departure, we were forced to suspend it for no one knows how much time, since the water of the river had gone down greatly. 42 Mr. Kelly, a pious Catholic, had met Father De Andreis and asked him to lodge four of our men at his home. This request came right on time, since Father O'Brien was prepared to return, and we had to give up for him the room occupied by Messrs. Casto, Ferrari and Caretti. Consequently, these three men plus Mr. Dahmen went to Mr. Kelly's. Tuesday, 1 October. Fathers Rosati and De Andreis said mass. Father De Andreis and Father Ferrari performed two burials. Wednesday, 2 October. Fathers Ferrari and Acquaroni said mass. François [Boranvanski] sick, etc. Thursday, 3 October. Fathers Rosati and Caretti said mass. Father Acquaroni ill. We all had supper at Mr. Beelen's. Friday, 4 October. Father De Andreis said mass. We saw Father O'Brien who had arrived the preceding evening. Saturday, 5 October. Father Rosati said mass. Fathers Caretti, Ferrari and Dahmen came to stay with us. After dinner, we opened several boxes and we found several items wet and spoiled. We took the vestments to sing the high mass and vespers, and the iron to make hosts. We used the afternoon for this and succeeded, etc. 43 Sunday, 6 October. We all said mass. Father De Andreis sang the mass, Father Ferrari was the deacon and Mr. Deys the subdeacon. Messrs. Tichitoli, Dahmen and Gonzalez assisted in surplice. Father O'Brien gave his sermon after the gospel. The church was completely filled with people. At 4:00 we sang vespers, and Father De Andreis officiated in cope, assisted by the other men in surplice. After vespers, we had benediction. The morning and evening ceremonies pleased many here, since they had never seen either a dalmatic or a cope, or so many clergy, etc. Monday, 7 October. Father Rosati said mass.

21 Tuesday, 8 October. Father De Andreis said mass. Fathers Ferrari, Dahmen and Caretti changed their lodging for the third time. Ferrari and Dahmen went to an Irish Catholic named Mr. Thomas Dermot and Caretti to Father O'Brien. Wednesday, 9 October. Father De Andreis said mass. To occupy the time in a way suitable to our state, we commenced giving conferences on the controversies which we have with Protestants. Father De Andreis first opened them. After he pointed out their importance, he explained the reasons which indirectly establish tradition, and proved that the scripture is not a sufficient rule of faith. Thursday, 10 October. Father Ferrari said mass. At 10:30 we assembled for the controversy. Father De Andreis set forth the reasons which prove directly the divine authority of tradition. Then Father Ferrari exposed in a familiar way the same reasons which Father De Andreis had proposed yesterday. Afterward, Father Rosati made the objections of Protestants, etc. Lastly, we read a chapter from The Catholic Scripturist translated into French. 44 Friday, 11 October. Father Acquaroni said mass. Brother Blanka sick in bed, etc., Father Tichitoli also sick, but not in bed. At 10:00, conference. Father De Andreis treated the same material. Then, Father Acquaroni; Father Rosati made the objections. Lastly, we read another chapter from the Scripturist , etc. Father De Andreis observed that it was more useful to begin the conferences against the unbelievers by the existence of God, and we agreed to follow this plan. Saturday, 12 October. Father De Andreis said mass. At 11:00, conference. Father De Andreis treated the five main arguments which demonstrate the existence of God. Sunday, 13 October. Everyone said mass. Father Rosati sang mass. Father Acquaroni was deacon, Mr. Deys subdeacon, Father Ferrari the master of ceremonies, and the others attended in surplice. Father O'Brien gave the sermon. The church was completed filled. We chanted vespers. The rain did not keep many people from coming, and it made us rejoice in the hope of leaving soon. Monday, 14 October. Father Rosati said mass. The rain which keeps falling does not yet make the water of river rise. We assembled for the spiritual conference. Tuesday, 15 October. Father Caretti said mass. We finished the spiritual conference which we had not completed yesterday because of the several visits which we received. Lastly Father De Andreis, taking up again the conferences on controversies, explained the arguments which demonstrate the need of religion. Mr. Casto defended the existence of God against the arguments which Mr. Deys proposed. The rain stopped, and with it the hope of our departing soon. Wednesday, 16 October. Father Ferrari said mass. The morning conference had as its subject the arguments which establish revelation. Father De Andreis proposed them. Mr. Deys proved the need for religion against the objections of Mr. Dahmen. Thursday, 17 October. Father De Andreis said mass. We had the conference, etc. After laying out the arguments which prove the possibility, usefulness, need and existence of revelation, Father Rosati responded to the objections made by Father Caretti. The waters of the river are rising. Friday, 18 October. Father Acquaroni said mass. Conference, etc. Father De Andreis answered the difficulties proposed by Father Rosati against revelation, etc. Saturday, 19 October. Father Rosati said mass. Conference, etc. Father De Andreis answered the objections made by Father Caretti against revelation.

22 Sunday, 20 October. All said mass. Father Rosati sang the mass. Father Ferrari was deacon, and Mr. Deys subdeacon, and Mr. etc. At 4:00, we sang vespers. For three days we have seen boats leaving without being able to do the same since our boat is too heavy. Monday, 21 October. Father De Andreis said mass. Rain. The water is still not high enough for our boat. The rain stopped after noon. Conference on the motives which the Protes- tants have at least to doubt being able to be saved in their sects, etc. Father De Andreis proposed them, and then answered the difficulties made by Father Acquaroni. Tuesday, 22 October. Father Ferrari said mass. Conference on the marks by which one can recognize the true church, which is found in the Roman . After demonstrating them, Father Rosati answered the objections of Father Ferrari. Wednesday, 23 October. Father Caretti said mass. Conference on the qualities which one must have to be a member of the church, and on the essence of the same church. Father Caretti proposed these, and Father Acquaroni made the objections. Thursday, 24 October. Father De Andreis said mass. Spiritual conference. Friday, 25 October. Father Caretti said mass. A conference on the visibility, indefectibility and infallibility of the Church. Father Rosati proposed the proofs, and Father De Andreis made the objections. This was not completed since a letter from Mr. Beelen informing us of our departure for the next day caused us to interrupt it to prepare to leave. The heavy rain which has fallen since midnight has swollen the river, etc. Saturday, 26 October. Father Acquaroni said the mass. Our departure has been deferred until tomorrow for the water of the river to be high enough. Without doubt the captain had not yet entirely loaded his three boats. Messrs. Ferrari and Dahmen slept at our lodgings. We took our things on board, and Father Tichitoli and Brother Blanka slept on the boat. Sunday, 27 October. We had planned to leave at 9:00, but the captain did not mention it, and we did not see any preparations. We all said mass. Father Rosati sang the high mass. Seeing other boats leaving we told the captain that if he did not leave today, we would take the boat by ourselves. He unloaded a portion of the goods from our boat. Finally at 4:00 p.m. we left Pittsburgh. We left there very touched by sentiments for the affection which all the Catholics of Pittsburgh showed us. A large part of them went with us to the river, and they did not leave until we had been lost from view. The good Bugg family, where we had lodged, wept, and also several other Catholic women whom we did not know. Father O'Brien showed us a very great attachment. Through his care he was able to get for us a gift of 120 dollars, and he gave us [stipends for] masses to be celebrated. Father Beelen also rendered us very great services. In a word, Providence cared for us here, giving us the same resources that it had never ceased giving us everywhere on our trip. We made practically no progress. We stopped one mile from Pitts- burgh. Monday, 28 October. Father De Andreis said mass. The sailors told us that they had an order not to leave before the arrival of the two other boats belonging to our captain. Father Caretti and Brothers Blanka and François [Boranvanski] ordered from Pittsburgh some things that we had forgotten for our provisions. At 1:00 p.m. Father Caretti and the two brothers rejoined us with the two other boats and we set out immediately. At 1:45 we were abreast of Mr. Brunon's island. 2 miles. At 3:10 we were at the point of Irving Island (in French, Neville.)

23 At 4:08 we were at the other end of the same island, across from Middletown. The captain of our convoy, directed by the pilot at the head, had followed the current too closely to the point of the island, instead of keeping to the right, as our pilot had warned the others, and ran aground on a sand bar. The same with the second boat, but it was quickly released. Despite the efforts of the rowers of the three boats, the first boat remained on the sand. For this reason we had to stop across from Middletown until the evening and spend the night there. We had to unload the merchandise from the boat to release it, and this lasted until the next day. Tuesday, 29 October. Father Rosati said mass. At 9:00 the boat which had run aground on the sand was released. That morning we began to observe the order of the day fixed during our travel on the Ohio, that is: 6:30 meditation, 7:30 mass, 8:30 little hours; 9:30 breakfast. At 10:00 the conference on controversies, etc., after which study until 2:00, and spiritual reading. At 3:00, particular examen and dinner, after which we had recreation and practice of plain-chant. At 5:00, vespers and compline, matins and lauds. At 6:00, English language practice; at 7:30 particular examen and supper. At 9:00 general examen, rosary, etc. We continued the conference interrupted at Pittsburgh. At 11:15 we left. At 2:30 we were stopped. 3:30 we resumed our trip. 5:30, we were stopped three miles from Beaver. (26 miles.) Today, the rain still accompanied us, and drenched the beds, the baggage, etc. It continued till midnight. Wednesday, 30 October. Father Acquaroni said mass. Fog. At 9:00, we left. At 9:54 abreast of Beaver. (29 1/4 miles.) Conference on the "private spirit." At 12:30 abreast of the second island after Beavertown. At 1:45 abreast of the third island. At 2:30 at Georgetown (42 1/2 miles); at 6:00 at Yellow Creek [Ohio], 45 (48 miles.) Thursday, 31 October. Father Caretti said mass. A very strong wind kept us from moving at all. By 1:00 at Brown's Island. (66 miles.) We chanted vespers and compline. 4:00 at Steubenville, where several went into town. We were stopped there. (73 miles.) Friday, 1 November. For all of us to have time to say mass, we arose at 4:00. Father De Andreis sang the high mass. Good weather, but very cold. Contrary wind. At 6:00 we set off. At 9:00, abreast of Charleston. (79 miles.) We held the spiritual conference. At noon, at Warren [Ohio] (87 miles.) Contrary wind since morning. We had to hitch the three boats side by side, which made us feel more clearly the jolting of our boat, etc. 1:45 at Pike Island. (91 miles.) We sang vespers of All Saints and vespers of the dead. We adorned the altar with one or other of the decorations in a suitable color. At 4:00 p.m., off Wheeling [W.Va.] We traveled all night. 46 Saturday, 2 November. All the priests said mass. Father Acquaroni sang the high mass. At 10:00, at Long Reach. (142 miles.) At 5:15, abreast of the first of the Three Brothers; at 5:30 abreast of the Second Brother, at 6:45 abreast of the Third Brother. (170 miles.) At 8:30, across from Duvall Island (181 miles.) At 10:00, at Marietta, where we were stopped. (183 miles.)47 Sunday, 3 November. All the priests said mass. We did not sing the high mass since the boat was on the bank, and there were too many people. At 11:00 we left; at 11:30 the wind forced us to stop. An event which touched us deeply took place today. Some of our men were talking along the riverbank, and met a gentleman who was relaxing with his dogs who were catching squirrels. Our men stopped to watch, and he very politely wanted to give them the three squirrels which he had caught. Later he came to visit us on the boat, and had us come to see his home, very close to

24 the place where our boat had stopped. Mr. Casto, Tichitoli and Brother Blanka went. Mr. Casto exhorted the man's wife to patience, since she had been sick for sixteen years, and eventually he began to speak of religion with the husband and the entire family. The husband admitted that he had none. Mr. Casto told him something about the need to profess the true religion to be saved. They could not express the sentiment of tenderness which this fine man, his wife and his children showed. They all wept, and our men, too. The good head of this family said many things to get one of our men to stay in his home for his instruction, assuring him that he would be able to reap great profits, and that he would do all he could to be able to contribute to the instruction of even others with his money, since he is a very rich man, a lawyer by profession. He showed a great desire to have some book which might deal with religion, and he gave them his name in writing, and wanted a list of all of us. He did not want to let them leave his home, but at last wanted to them to pray to God for him before leaving him. Our men knelt down, and the entire family, too, and they prayed. The lawyer gave them some fruit, and with another fine old gentleman came to our boat, and wanted to embrace us all. Likewise, his friend wanted to see the crucifix, the relics, and he kissed them, raising his hat, and received with the greatest pleasure a copy of the Catechism and of the Letter of Father Gallitzin 48 which we gave him, and he left while asking us to pray for him. 49 At 4:00 p.m., we left. We sang vespers. 5:30 opposite Muskingum. (186 miles.) 50 6:30, the wind forced us to stop. Monday, 4 November. Father Ferrari said mass. At 3:00 a.m. we left. At 8:15 off Mustaphy Island. (208 miles.) At 11:30, in from the Belleville Island. (217 miles.) At 4:30, at Amberson Island. (227 miles.) Tuesday, 5 November. We traveled all night. Father De Andreis said mass. At 9:00, off of Little Kanawha Island. (276 miles.) At noon, off Point Pleasant [W.Va.] (283 miles.) 51 It became very cold, since the snow had fallen on the mountains, and Father Dahmen and Casto were sick. At 1:45, off Gallipolis. 52 We sent the brother [Blanka] to get provisions. Father Acquaroni and the brother, who had gone to Gallipolis, spoke with some French people living in that town, and learned of the lamentable state in which the forty French families in this town found themselves concerning religion. For seven years, there had been no priest, and there was no chapel or church, and many of the children had not been baptized. We were sorry not to have the boat to ourselves to be able to stop there. Wednesday, 6 November. At 8:00 we arrived at the Big [or Great] Sandy River, also called the Tottervy, which separates Virginia from Kentucky. (341 1/2 miles.) At 2:30 at Burrsburg. (364 miles.) At 9:30 at Portsmouth, where we stopped because they had to unload goods, etc. 53 Father De Andreis, sick. Thursday, 7 November. Father Acquaroni said mass. At 6:30 we left Portsmouth. At 1:00 p.m., we were at Turkey Creek. At 5:30 at Vanceburg 54 and Salt [Lick, or Saltlick] Creek. (412 miles.) Friday, 8 November. Father Caretti said mass. At 6:00 we arrived at Limestone and Maysville [Ky.] (452 miles.) 55 We stopped there since they had to unload merchandise. We stayed there all day, all night, and part of the next day. We found several Catholics who told us that there were several Catholic families in the area, and that they had never had a priest. When Father [Edward] Fenwick came the four miles from Limestone, they learned of it in advance to bring him several children for baptism, etc. We promised to say mass in one of their houses if we did not leave before Sunday.

25 Saturday, 9 November. Father Ferrari said mass. We had the spiritual conference. Besides Father De Andreis, Father Ferrari spoke to us about the virtue of humility. At 1:00 we left Lime- stone. At 4:15, at Charleston. (458 miles.) 56 At 5:00, Eagle Creek. (462 miles.) Sunday, 10 November. At 6:00 we stopped for an hour and a half. All the priests said mass, and Father De Andreis sang. An Irish Catholic, who since Limestone rowed on our boat, took advantage of the mass. At 11:00, snow. (511 miles.) At 2:00, at the village of Little Miami. (516 1/2 miles.) 3:15 at Columbia. 4:45 at Newport [Ky.], then to Cincinnati where we stopped to unload merchandise and to wait for the captain who had stayed at Limestone. (526 1/2 miles.) 57 Around midnight it snowed. Monday, 11 November. This morning we found the boat, the town, and everything we saw around us covered with snow. Father De Andreis said mass. A conference on the sacraments and their ceremonies in general. Tuesday, 12 November. Father Rosati said mass. Conference on baptism. We have received several visits from the people of Cincinnati who had the curiosity to find out who we were, and some of them also asked us the purpose of our trip, etc. We told them that it was religion. They responded that we have here complete liberty to establish ourselves. A Catholic also paid us a visit. He had wanted to attend our mass, for the many several Catholics in Cincinnati do not have a church, chapel or priest, but we told them that we had to leave. Our captain had arrived the previous evening, and he had wanted us to wait until he had taken care of his business. But after our objections, he detached our boat from the others, and gave us rowers and a pilot, and at 4:00 we left Cincinnati. An Englishman who had to go to New Orleans came in our boat, etc. At 8:20 we were stopped, since our pilot did not know how to guide the boat in the dark. Wednesday, 13 November. Father Acquaroni said mass. At 7:00 we left. At 10:00 at North Bend. (545 miles.) At 3:40, the [Great] Miami river. (551 miles.) At 4:15 at Lawrenceberg [Ind.], where we stopped. At 5:05 we left. At 6:15 we stopped. Thursday, 14 November. Father Caretti said mass. At 7:00 we left. At 10:15, at the last point of Grape Island, still called Laughrey. (566 miles.) At 10:15 we stopped to get provisions at Rising Sun. At 1:20, we left. At 6:15 we stopped. Rain. Friday, 15 November. Father Ferrari said mass. Spiritual conference. At 5:15 at Frederickstown, a village which had been begun but where very few of the houses had been completed. We had traveled almost all night during we which we passed by Small Willow Island (604 miles), Nine Mile Island (616 miles), New Switzerland (621 1/4 miles), 58 Kentucky River (627 1/4 miles,), and the Little Kentucky River (628 miles.) Saturday, 16 November. Father De Andreis said mass. 8:00 [blank]. Noon at Madison. (640 miles.) The brother [Blanka] got off to buy some things. At 2:45 we stopped because of the wind. At 5:00 we left. At 7:45 we stopped. Sunday, 17 November. Heavy rain since midnight, etc., and the boat etc. all wet. At 6:00 a.m. we left. All the priests said mass. Father Acquaroni sang. At 11:45 Brother Blanka got off, etc. We sang vespers. At 5:00 we passed Westport, without being able to see it because of the fog. (683 miles.) At 6:30 we stopped close to the Island called Eiten mile [ sic , Eleven Mile]. Rain all day long. Monday, 18 November. Father Rosati said mass. Rain all night. At 6:00 a.m. we left. At 7:00 we passed Twelve Mile Island. (693 miles.) At 2:30 p.m. by the third island before

26 Louisville [Ky.] At 3:45 the second island, etc.; at 6:00 the third [ sic , first.] Heavy rain all day, and very thick fog such that the pilot did now know where we were, and feared that he had passed Louisville, and we might tumble into the rapids. Consequently we stopped at 7:30. Tuesday, 19 November. Father Acquaroni said mass. At 7:00 a.m. we left. Rain. At 9:00, Jeffersonville. At 9:45, at Louisville. Heavy rain was falling. 59 Mr. Casto and Father Acquaroni landed, asking news about Mr. Tarascon. A Catholic showed them the house of Mr. François Mode, 60 who, with his entire family, is still Catholic. He gave them a letter from Bishop Flaget, dated 14 October, in which he informed us that he had come for several days to Louisville, and that he had waited for us in vain. As a result, he was forced to return, and had asked Mr. Mode to give us hospitality in his home. He did so indeed, very willingly, and very politely. He gave a horse to Father Acquaroni to go to Mr. Tarascon's home. He lives at [blank] about 2 miles from Louisville, and he took us to his home, where after dinner Father Acquaroni arrived, too. To the very favorable reception which we received at Louisville through the care of Bishop Flaget, was added the further consolation of receiving several letters from Rome and Bordeaux. These gave us very consoling news about our bishop and of the good state of affairs of our mission. The letter from Bishop Flaget told us also that the four students in minor orders would remain in his seminary, since Bishop Dubourg wanted it. He also wanted Father De Andreis to live with him [Flaget.] Bad weather, however, did not let this happen right away. In the room given us we had prepared an altar for mass. Wednesday, 20 November. All the priests said mass. We began to unload our things from the boat. Thursday, 21 November. All the priests said mass. Today we finished unloading our things from the boat. Friday, 22 November. All the priests said mass. Father De Andreis and eventually Mr. Casto went to Bardstown, to Bishop Flaget's. 61 They postponed their departure to today since no one had found any horses. Saturday, 23 November. All the priests said mass. Sunday, 24 November. We began to say mass at 8:00, and said the last one after noon. Only fifteen or so Catholics came; they had not told the others. Monday, 25 November. We all said mass, etc. Tuesday, 26 November. [Blank.] Wednesday, 27 November. We all said mass. We received a visit from a German Catholic who had lived for several years eighteen miles from Louisville. After hearing that a bishop and some priests were going to live in Louisville, he decided to sell his property and to come there to live. Thursday, 28 November. [Blank.] Friday, 29 November. In the morning, Mr. Casto, accompanied by Mr. [James] Derigaud, a deacon and treasurer of the Seminary of Saint Thomas, arrived in Louisville. These men gave us the consoling news that Bishop Flaget was going to house all of us with him. This virtuous prelate, who brought to life again in his own person and in that of his clergy the first bishops and priests [of the apostolic church], was on his apostolic rounds when Messrs. De Andreis and Casto arrived at the seminary. They had met Father [Guy Ignatius] Chabrat near Bardstown. When he had recognized them, he accompanied them to Saint Thomas. They were charmed by the reception which Father [John Baptist] , the superior at the seminary, gave them. They

27 waited there for Bishop Flaget until the 26th. We agreed that everyone should spend the winter in Kentucky: the four in minor orders, the brothers and the three priests at the seminary, and the others in private homes. Consequently, we prepared the things we thought necessary, and this made us unpack our boxes and trunks to select them, etc. We set our departure for the following Tuesday. Saturday, 30 November. Masses, etc. Sunday, 1 December. First Sunday of Advent. The Catholics who lived in Louisville and in Shippingport had been notified that we would say mass, and they came in great numbers to the house where we were staying, and we said the masses. At 11:00, Father Acquaroni chanted the high mass, and afterward we chanted the litany of the Blessed Virgin. People wept with consolation. For several years they had never heard a high mass sung. That evening, we also sang vespers. Monday, 2 December. Masses, etc. Last evening, the wagon master appointed by Father Chabrat came to load our things, and at 7:00 Father Chabrat arrived. Madame de Gallon, who had been so friendly to us, and another Catholic, lodged five of our men at their homes, for our beds had already left with the wagon. Tuesday, 3 December. After everyone had said mass to gain the plenary indulgence which the Holy Father had granted us on the feast of Saint Francis Xavier, the protector of our mission, and after eating breakfast, we left. The brothers went first on foot, and then all the others on horseback. That evening at night, we arrived at Mr. Thompson's. He is a Catholic who was delighted to host us, and on the next day we could not get him to accept any money in payment. The brothers stayed at another inn, etc. Wednesday, 4 December. A negro with three horses was sent for the brothers so that they could cross the river. Fathers Chabrat, Acquaroni and Rosati went ahead of the others, and took the route to ’s, where they dined, and then they joined Father Derigaud and the others at Mr. Guine's [Guinan?]. Since they had not dined already, he had them do so at the home of this good Catholic. At last, we all left together for Bardstown where we found the brothers, and we left for Saint Thomas, where we arrived about nightfall. The bishop had already left, since he could not abandon his eight congregations and the monastery [of the Sisters of Loretto] which he was obliged to oversee personally. Father David also was absent for the same reason. We could not see this seminary without being very edified.

[Section Seven: Bardstown]

Thursday, 5 December. In the evening, Father David arrived. The wagon also arrived in Bardstown, and they sent a buggy to get the beds, etc. Friday, 6 December. In the evening, Father Acquaroni, with Father Chabrat, went to stay at Mr. Guine's. Saturday, 7 December. [Blank.] Sunday, 8 December. Father Rosati sang the high mass, and after the gospel, Father David took the occasion of our arrival to speak of the four marks of the church. He also spoke of the miracles of the Holy Father, Pope Pius VII, while reading a letter which Father Rosati had written in which he told of several. That evening, vespers.

28 Monday, 9 December. We had the high mass of the . This morning, Father David gave us the first English lesson, and Father De Andreis also began his course in theology for our four young men and the three other seminarians. Toward evening, we had the happiness of seeing Bishop Flaget, and of admiring in him even more than what had been told of him, etc. Tuesday, 10 December. Father De Andreis went to say mass at the monastery where one of us will say mass every day. Sunday, 15 December. Father Ferrari went to say mass at the church of the Holy Cross, 10 miles from the seminary, and he returned the next day. Father Rosati sang the high mass at the seminary. Saturday, 21 December. Bishop Flaget held a full ordination by ordaining Father Derigaud a priest, Mr. [Robert] Abell a deacon, Messrs. Coomes 62 and Millet subdeacons, and three to minor orders and two to tonsure. Father David explained the ceremonial in English before beginning the ordination, and the bishop gave a small discourse after the ceremony, etc. Sunday, 22 December. Father Rosati went to say mass at Holy Cross. Tuesday, 24 December. We sang first vespers. Wednesday, 25 December. At 3:30 we began matins; then Father David sang the first mass, and the bishop at 11:00 pontificated solemnly, and at 4:00 p.m. he also did so at vespers. This was the first time that such functions had been seen in that region. Thursday, 26 December. Father Rosati sang the mass. [1817]

Friday, 1 February. [Blank.] Saturday, 2 February. Bishop Flaget pontificated. The ceremonies [Candlemas Day] were executed exactly according to the ceremonial of bishops and the Italian usage. All the priests assisted in chasuble. We renewed our priestly vows. During Lent, Fathers De Andreis and Rosati began to preach in English. During Holy Week, we did all the ceremonies both morning and evening. For the first time, we celebrated the three hours of Our Lord's Agony. On Easter Sunday [6 April], Father De Andreis began to hear confessions in English. The Monday after the Sunday in Albis [April 14], Father Rosati began to hear confessions in English at Saint Michael, and also to visit the sick. Fathers De Andreis, Ferrari and himself [Rosati] have continued to do so, etc. During Passion Week [23-29 March] we made our retreat. Saturday, April 12. Father Rosati left with Father Chabrat for his first mission. 63 After holding a meeting at Mr. Hefner's, then at Louisville, they left [Monday] the 21st at noon, and arrived in Post Vincennes [Wednesday] the 23rd at 5:00 p.m. 64 Father Chabrat preached in English and Father Rosati in French every Sunday and feast day. Father Rosati taught the catechism to the children in French and Father Chabrat in English each day, and they prepared 52 children for their first communion, which they made on Pentecost Sunday [25 May]. During their stay at the Post, a great number of Indians were there. Since Father Rosati was very anxious to see them, he went with Father Chabrat to the home of their interpreter, where they found a dozen Indians. An old man among them had heard from the interpreter that they were two priests. He arose, came before them, and offered them his hand, and said that he saw them with great pleasure, since he knew that they were the ministers of the Great Spirit,

29 Master of Life, responsible for showing men by word and example all that they should do. According to him, although he was completely ignorant, he never let a day pass by without saying to the Great Spirit in the morning, "Great Master of life, you have kept me this night, and I thank you. Keep me during this day." He said to them that they were happy to have the papers which the Great Spirit had given them to instruct others, etc., etc. He showed them much friendship. This same old man fell ill several weeks later, and expressed his desire to see the priests. Someone went to seek out Father Rosati, who immediately went to the house of a Frenchman where the good old man had retired. He found him lying on the floor folded up in a coverlet. As soon as the Indian was sitting up, and after taking Father Rosati's hand, he told him that he did not regret leaving this world, since he, on the contrary, did not desire anything except seeing the Great Spirit. He said that he knew it would be impossible for him to go to the Great Spirit in the state he was in, and that he desired that someone show him the way, etc., etc. Father Rosati took the occasion then to speak to him of the necessity of baptism, and gave him the absolutely necessary instructions to dispose him to receive it. He showed a great desire for it, and since he was in great danger, Father Rosati baptized him forthwith, giving him the name Michael, which he had asked for himself. This good old man after his baptism did nothing but pray. People heard him repeating often these words in French, Mon Dieu, mon Dieu . Father Rosati went to see him the next day. The good old man made his excuses for not being able to speak, since he was very sick, and the day after he died. He received solemn obsequies, and we sang a mass, etc. Since he had been one of the chiefs of his nation, there were other Indians at the burial among whom was his son, a charming young man who spoke English, and who appeared very struck with the ceremony. He told Father Rosati that he would try to die like his father had. He encourage the young man to receive instruction in the true religion, but we could not take proper care of him, since on [Tuesday] 27 May, they left the Post, and on [Friday] the 30th, Father Rosati returned to the seminary, having arrived early, because of the expected fever, and left Father Chabrat behind. During this stay at the seminary of Saint Thomas, Fathers Rosati and De Andreis used to make frequent trips to see the sick, etc., etc. At the end of the month of September, Fathers De Andreis, Acquaroni, Rosati and Ferrari made their retreat, and before finishing it, they received news of the arrival of Bishop Dubourg in Baltimore. This prelate asked Bishop Flaget to go to Saint Louis with Fathers De Andreis and Rosati to prepare the way, and to dispose the spirits of the inhabitants of that region, and to make the proper arrangements.

[Section Eight: Bardstown to Missouri]

Consequently, Thursday, 2 October, Bishop Flaget, Fathers De Andreis and Rosati and Brother Blanka, in the company of Joseph Tucker left Saint Thomas Seminary. That evening, at Elizabethtown [Ky.], 26 miles. 65 Friday, 3 October, dinner at the Mackdows, 14 miles. At 6:00, at Hardinsburg, 24 miles. At 8:00, at Campter, 5 miles. Saturday, 4 October. Breakfast with Mr. Head, Esquire; 21 miles. That evening, at Owensboro, on the Yellow Banks; 14 miles.

30 Sunday, 5 October. Many problems in leaving, since we had a sick horse. At 6:00 p.m., with Father Coomes (2 miles.) The bishop said mass and the others received communion. Departure after breakfast, since Father Coomes had a horse to continue the way. We crossed the Green River at Smith's Ferry; 14 miles. That night was very black, and they got lost in the woods. We started to propose stopping and camping in the woods, since we had recalled taking candles. After much difficulty, they lit one. The light gave them courage. We walked a lot without being able to find the road. Finally we found a house where the owners did not want to receive us. They arrived at 8:00 at Powl's, 28 miles. Monday, 6 October. The next morning, they left at 3:30. Heavy rain. We got lost in the woods. After much traveling, we arrived at Luckett's (3 miles.) There we took breakfast. At noon, Bishop Flaget and Father Rosati left to go to the church of the Sacred Heart (7 miles), and spent the rest of the day in the priest's house. 66 Tuesday, 7 October. The next day, departure at 7:00. We got lost and after two hours on the road realized we were going in circles. By 10:00 at Morganfield (5 miles.) At noon, we dined with the Jones family; at 5:00 p.m., we crossed the Ohio at Shawneetown, [Ill.] 67 15 miles. That evening, with the Trowsels. No supper. 68 Wednesday, 8 October. 6:00 departure. Breakfast in the woods. At noon, with Father [blank]. (25 miles.) At 6:00 with the Garnets (18 miles.) We spent the night there. Thursday, 9 October. Departure at 6:00. At [blank] (10 miles from there), we passed the creek called Big Muddy. At 10:00 we crossed the Little Muddy on a bridge, and we took our dinner at the Jacksons'. (11 miles.) That evening, with the Flaggs. (15 miles.) Friday, 10 October. 5:30 departure. Breakfast at Steeleville, (18 miles) at 9:30. At last, at 3:00 with Mr. [Pierre] Menard near Kaskaskias. (16 miles.) We spent the rest of the day and the night there. Saturday, 11 October. We said mass in the church of Kaskaskias. 69 After mass, we saw the respectable Father [Donatien] Olivier who had come from Prairie du Rocher where he lives. We dined together at Mr. Menard's. At 5:00 p.m. departure from Kaskaskias, in the company of Father Olivier and Menard, down to the Mississippi. (2 1/2 miles.) At 6:30 we crossed the Mississippi, and Father [Henry] Pratte, the pastor of Sainte was waiting for us on the other side with several of his parishioners. At 7:30 we arrived at Sainte Genevieve (3 miles), where we were lodged with the pastor. Visits, etc. Sunday, 12 October. We celebrated holy mass, etc. Father De Andreis sang it. The bishop preached twice. He spoke of the object of his trip and fixed a meeting of the habitants for the morning. Monday, 13 October. At 9:00, the majority of the heads of the families went to the pastor's home, etc. etc. Tuesday, 14 October. Another meeting and our departure was postponed to the next day. This bothered the bishop. Wednesday, 15 October. At 3:30 p.m. we left Sainte Genevieve in company with the pastor, down to the Mississippi. We crossed over at 4:30. We found on the other bank Father Olivier, etc. At 6:30 we arrived in Prairie du Rocher. (5 miles.) Thursday, 16 October. After mass and breakfast, departure at 7:00 a.m. 70

[At the end of the same manuscript are found the following scattered notes.]

31

Father De Andreis was born 12 December 1778 at Demonte in Piedmont, in the diocese of Turin. He died in Saint Louis 15 October 1820. Father De Andreis gave the mission at the Piazza Colonna in Rome in 1814 in the month of August, for 10 days. That same year, he gave the retreat to young physicians and surgeons of the Santo Spirito hospital [in Rome]. There were 100 of them, and he did much good. Messrs. [Francis] Cellini, [Philip] Borgna and [Anthony] Potini, with Brother [Bartolomeo] Bettelani, a novice, arrived at the seminary at the end of 1818, sent there by Father [Antonio] Baccari. In the month of July 1819, we moved from Mrs. Hayden's house to the cabins built near the seminary, which was not yet under roof. In the month of October 1819, we began to live in the seminary. One room will be set aside to put an infirmary there. In 1822, Father Cellini left for [Louisiana 71 ].

32

1 These texts are presented in the author’s Frontier Missionary. Felix De Andreis, C.M. 177- 1820. Correspondence and Historical Writings. Chicago, Vincentian Studies Institute, 2005. See his “Important Notices concerning the Mission of Louisiana in North America,” pp. 385-424; and “Itinerary. Italy, France, America,” pp. 426-455.

2 The original document is in the archives of the archdiocese of St. Louis.

3 Details of the journey have been checked against A Complete Historical. . . American Atlas. . . to the year 1822 . Philadelphia: H.C. Carey and I. Lea, 1823. William Darby, The Emigrant's Guide to the western and southwestern states and territories…. New York: Kirk and Mercein, 1818.

4 DeAndreis, “Important Notices”, gives August 1815 as the date when Dubourg came to Montecitorio.

5 Or: Polenchi, born 1786, entered 1806; died in Rome, 1860.

6 To celebrate the feast as a "double minor," as was the feast of July 19.

7 December 3.

8 DeAndreis, “Important Notices,” adds: "to erect it where there are no Franciscan convents."

9 DeAndreis, “Important Notices,” adds: "to dispense from their oath of remaining in the diocese, the graduates of the Collegio Alberoni [in Piacenza] who would wish to go with us." He adds, further, that a set of "regulations for the journey was prepared by the superior, consisting of 20 articles taken from the rules and practices of the Congregation, and from the advice given by Saint Vincent to those whom he was sending to foreign missions."

10 DeAndreis, “Important Notices,” adds that Cardinal Litta also came to bid them farewell and to assure them of the good outcome of the journey.

11 A native of Port Maurice, or Porto Maurizio.

12 He was not yet vicar general, an office he would hold from 12 August 1816 to his death, 4 March 1819.

13 His first name is never given in extant records.

14 These geographical names have been corrected according to De Andreis’s notes.

15 DeAndreis, “Important Notices,” adds that the cardinal gave them 100 ducats, and Mr. Masturzi another 80. Mr.[de] Fulgure gave two chalices, two missals, eight large reliquaries, a fine new cassock, and other devotional items.

16 DeAndreis, “Important Notices,” adds other names: Fathers Ugo, Tornatore, Dalle (?), and the novice, Agnello Rosati; Brothers Luisi [Luigi?], Lurso, and Agnello Graziano.

17 That is, of Saint Francis Xavier. See also the entries for 14 July, when they again venerated this relic, and for 18 July, when they venerated the relic of Saint Vincent de Paul on the eve of his feast.

33

18 DeAndreis, “Important Notices,” gives the French text of the vow.

19 Jedidiah Morse , The American Gazetteer . Boston, 1810; 3rd ed., revised and corrected; no pagination. Baltimore is described as divided into the town and Fell's Point "by a creek, over which are two bridges." Eleven places of worship exist: Roman Catholic, German Calvinists and Lutherans, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, Quakers, "Nicolites or New Quakers," and "the disciples of Baron Swedenborg." All these are reported to "live together in peace."

20 DeAndreis, “Important Notices,” gives the sum of $200.

21 Mentioned above as leaving with the wagons on 3 September.

22 DeAndreis, “Important Notices,” says he left because of illness.

23 Probably Rodolphe Rosseau from Louisiana, a student in the College, 1815-1819, according to the Memorial Volume of the Centenary of St. Mary's Seminary of St. Sulpice, Baltimore: John Murphy, 1891, p. 94. He likely Americanized his name for the sake of Eastern classmates.

24 Rosati testifies that 15-16 people could fit in their stage. Rosati letter, Pittsburgh, 25 October 1816.

25 A post town in Baltimore County, Maryland, nearly 16 m. northeast of Baltimore, according to Morse.

26 All towns are now in Pennsylvania, until notified otherwise.

27 It held about 30 houses at the time, so Morse.

28 Morse: 200 houses.

29 The name of the town is variously spelled. Morse, for example, calls it Messersburg, and locates it 16 miles southwest of Chambersburg.

30 Morse: One of the ridges of the Alleghenies. It forms part of the Tuscarora mountain chain.

31 Morse: Juniata is a branch of the Susquehanna. "It is rapid and beset with shoals." From the Crossing to Bloodyrun is 6 miles, according to the Emigrant's Guide .

32 De Andreis's "Itinerario" interprets this as a popular misunderstanding of "Blood-Iron," to which Rosati alludes. From Bloodyrun to Bedford is 8 miles.

33 Morse commends Bedford, incorporated in 1795, for its reservoir. "Water is carried in wooden pipes."

34 Morse: The Raystown branch of the Juniata.

35 Also called Shellsburg.

36 That is, the first group who had left Baltimore with the wagons, 3 September.

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37 Rosati's distances correspond well with Morse, which gives 11 miles from Youngstown to Greensburg. Morse notes the presence of a German Calvinist church in Greensburg, which he calls a "pretty town."

38 Emigrant's Guide: a town of 800 population.

39 Morse remarks on the many Irish in Pittsburgh, with a population of 2000 and a Roman Catholic church in 1808. The Western Hotel left few traces, and must not have been a prosperous establishment.

40 This was the only Catholic Church on the route they traveled between Baltimore and Pittsburgh, according to DeAndreis' own testimony, letter of 22 September 1816 to Carlo Domenico Sicardi.

41 The Emigrant's Guide remarks on the 12,000 inhabitants about 1815; and the three breweries in Pittsburg (p. 258.)

42 Morse comments: "The navigation of the Ohio, in a dry season, is rather troublesome from Pittsburg [sic ] to the Mingo Town, about 75 miles; but from thence to the Mississippi there is always water enough for barges carrying from 100 to 200 tons burden. . . ." The flatboats of the period were 100-200 feet at the keel, 16-18 feet wide, 4 feet deep, with a 3 foot draft when loaded.

43 Mr. Ross had left by this time, according to DeAndreis' letter of 5 October 1816. He returned to Baltimore.

44 Mumford, James, The Catholic scripturist: or, The plea of the Roman Catholics shewing the Scriptures to hold the Roman faith in above forty of the chief controversies now under debate. Ghent, 1662; Baltimore, 1808, revised ed. It is unknown whether a French edition was published or just translated privately.

45 The following towns are in Ohio, unless noted otherwise. The river itself, to both banks, belongs to West Virginia.

46 Morse compares Pittsburgh with Wheeling and concludes: "Wheeling would therefore have rivalled Pittsburg [ sic ], had the inhabitants been industrious and moral, instead of wasting their time in drunkenness, horse-racing, cockfighting, gouging, and other vices of Virginia." It held 250 houses, perhaps 1000 inhabitants.

47 Morse: a "handsome post town," founded 1788. Its Congregational Church made it unique, in that "no house for public worship [stood] between Pittsburgh and this place, 181 miles."

48 A Letter to a Protestant Friend, on the Holy Scriptures: Being a Continuation of the "Defence of Catholic Principles”. New York: Catholic Publication Society, n.d.

49 A catechism of the day was Fleury (Abbé), A Short Historical Catechism containing a summary of Sacred History and Christian Doctrine [Title pages and text in English and French on facing pages.] New ed. Detroit: Theophilus Mettez, 1812. Demetrius A. Gallitzin, A Defence of Catholic Principles in a letter to a Protestant minister. Pittsburgh, 1816.

50 Probably at Muskingum River, the site of Marietta, or the Little Muskingum River, since Marietta is just above the mouth.

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51 Morse: "An indifferent village on the east bank of the Ohio, just above the mouth of the Great Kanhawa."

52 30 miles from Point Pleasant. "The first settlers being deceived in their purchase of French speculators. . . chiefly dispersed." Those who remained received 20,000 acres from the Federal Government down the Ohio.

53 Portsmouth is so called since it lies at the mouth of the Scioto River.

54 Transcribed by Souvay as Bencoville.

55 Limestone, 500 miles from Pittsburgh, was the earlier name for Maysville. It was the usual landing place for people coming down in boats who wished to settle in Kentucky.

56 The flatboat made slow progress, since Charleston is one mile down river from Limestone.

57 Morse speaks of only 250 houses in Cincinnati at the time.

58 Vevey (?).

59 Morse reports 350 inhabitants of Louisville at his period.

60 He is called Madsen in De Andreis's writings.

61 Also called Bairdstown or Beardstown. Morse reports that it had 579 inhabitants.

62 There were several priests named Coomes at this period.

63 The dates are in conflict. Rosati began to hear confessions, at Saint Michael, near Bardstown, on Monday, 14 April. Two days earlier, Saturday, 12 April, he would have left for Vincennes. The date for the departure should more likely be Saturday, 19 April, since they arrived the next day in Louisville, a journey of not more than one full day. Rosati repeated the mistaken date in a letter of 8 June 1817, very likely copied from this diary.

64 Morse: The capital of the Indiana Territory; it had 714 inhabitants.

65 Morse: 56 inhabitants. All following towns are in Kentucky, unless noted otherwise.

66 Following the atlas and Morse, this town has to be Henderson.

67 All following towns are in Illinois, until mentioned otherwise.

68 According to the atlas, there was only one road leading from Shawneetown to Kaskaskia, a distance of 128 miles.

69 Morse: The settlement at Kaskaskias had 45 houses, 467 inhabitants.

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70 They reached Saint Louis, probably by boat. De Andreis and Brother Blanka returned to Sainte Genevieve, while the robust Rosati and Bishop Flaget returned across Illinois to Bardstown, to stay there for nearly another year. Bishop Dubourg arrived in Sainte Genevieve 1 January 1818.

71 Following DeAndreis, "Important Notices."

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