Jewels from Jane, March 5

The six sisters who left France in 1836 have been on the ocean for 49 days.

Now they will start up the Mississippi River on the George Collier.

March 5-March 24, 1836

"Before they arrived on the Gulf of Mexico the vessel [The Natchez] was taken by violent storm that the ship was must [almost] submerge and after it was so foggy and the mist was so thick that they could see nothing. But in middle of all trials Father Fontbonne encourage and support so well the little community that he was the Director. That the sweet calm resignation and patience of the Sisters, their serene modesty, their faith and their confidence in God and their charity towards the passengers made them [esteemed] and revered by equipage [crew].

"They had to wait until the steamer come to bring the ship on Mississippi. When they had been a day on Mississippi the boiler of the steamer burnt out. They hear the crack and noise; everyone came out to see what it was; everyone was very much frighting [frightened]. There was only a man thrown in Mississippi. They never see him again. He had charge of the fire; few minutes before he was speaking with Father Fontbonne saying to him that it was his last voyage, that his wife all time tell him not go for she not like him to expose himself [to the danger of drowning].

"When they arrived in New Orleans they were so glad, but Father Fontbonne would not let [them] come out until he had see the Bishop. He came back with a carriage to take the Sisters to the Ursuline Nuns where Bishop Blanc and Bishop Rosati come to see them.

"Most Rev. Anthony Blanc, first bishop of New Orleans, was consatrete [consecrated] November 22, 1835 and Bishop Rosati and Father Timen, C.M., Supr., had come for the consecration and had pass the winter. Were waiting for the Sisters -- they remain some days with the Ursulines to take little repose after the fatigue of so long voyage. The Ursulines not like to see the Sisters with their habit as they had been in ship. They said that people would think that some Nuns had escape from the convent. Before they could go in City they had to put on a cape and mourning veil. They had to go on the Mississippi in same way. The Sisters do not like it very much because they had [worn] their habit all the time, only one night in stage they put night cap [on] and they came from the diligence [stage-coach] with it, walk on the streets of Paris to go to the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul. It was grand sight to look at them. The Sisters of St. Vincent laugh at them and make them quick to change. They were look like beggars.

"The Sisters were very kindly received by the religious Ursulines. They remain some days with them, visit the Cathedral, The Hospital of the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul.

"And it was very pleasant for the grass was green. They go to take little walk in Sisters field and sit down under the trees, make their lecture, prayers and meditation and their recreation.

"When everything was ready the little caravan conducted by Rt. Rev. Bishop Rosati, Father Fontbonne and Father Timon, they ascended the Mississippi. They remain [take] eleven days to come to St. Louis. Then good Father Timon come some time bring to them some things new to eat. When the steamer stop, great merry little Nigros [negroes] come on the bank of Mississippi to see us.

"This great and admirable charity that the Sisters received from everyone make us remember the first Christians that, when the Pagans see them, said -- look at these Christians how they love one another.

From the handwritten journal of Sister St. Protais Deboille.

She never mastered the English language very well