1809 Mar. 15
Sibourd, Father L(oui)s
Philadelphia, (Pennsylvania)
to Mrs. (Elizabeth) Seton
Baltimore, (Maryland)
Availing himself of Father (Hurley's) trip to Baltimore, Sibourd writes to her and her children. He thinks she is happy in her present situation and prays God that it will long continue. He transcribes a letter from Madeira from Joanna Barry who asks him if he knows the lamentable views of her loss of her only child, Ann. She is agonized but recognizes God's will and blesses her religion for giving her this recognition and solace yet she cannot say she submits to God's will as she ought. "Sorrow is an enemy to piety." Ann did not know until a few days before that she was going to die. Mr. Barry engaged a French chaplain who celebrated Mass in Ann's chamber. She was not afraid of death; her mother was her only care. She asks Sibourd if she doesn't have reason to fear she came between Ann and her God. The French priest said he never met Ann's equal. She had every attention. Mr. Barry expresses sorrow at the impossibility of letting her try another voyage, and regrets having forced her to try the one she did. She asks for prayers from Sibourd and his society for Ann's soul. Ann's remains are in St. Ann's church in a lead coffin, which she will bring with her on the first vessel to America. The embargo off, American ships will soon appear. Since July 29 she has been at her brother's. He wants her to stay and not go back to a country that has been so fatal to her. But she must out of duty. She asks God for resignation as becomes herself and those whom she has lost. She would like to hear from him and her other friends. The only opportunity of leaving at present is by way of England which is too circuitous. She is not well but hopes to make the voyage before winter. Mr. J.A. Lynch and Mrs. Nugent whom she believes are now at Trenton, will feel for her, as will also her friends at New York. She asks Sibourd to thank them for her. Madame Lovegnemarre will pray for Ann. (Ending the quotation) Sibourd comments that this letter made him weep, as it probably will her. If the Archbishop John Carroll did not hear from Mrs. Barry, Mrs. Seton is to show him this. Sibourd says to give the archbishop "The respects of a clergyman lying now on the back shelf on account of his being an invalid."
II-1-a A.L.S. 3pp. 8vo.
4