APPENDIX
1. - BERTRAND DUCOURNAU TO SAINT LOUISE
November 29, 1655
Monsieur Vincent thinks Mademoiselle Le Gras should go to Saint-
Denis alone, rather than with Madame de Ventadour.1 In addition, she
should tell M. de Francière2 simply and cordially what she has heard
from Sister Raportebled,3 and ask him to tell her what the Sisters of
Saint-Denis have done to cause people to want to have them removed
from the hospital. She should also say that, if they have done
something wrong, she is there to withdraw them. This frankness will
undoubtedly oblige him to speak his mind; then we will see what has to
be done. She might choose a fine day and use the carriage from Saint-
Lazare, if she gives notice the evening before.
She may also take it to go to see the nurse,4 whenever she pleases.
M. Vincent does not think she should speak to M. de Saint-Jean,5
because he is not sufficiently involved in what concerns the Sisters in
question.
M. V[incent]'s health is good, and his leg is improving daily. However,
he has had a cold since yesterday and was bled today, as was
Mademoiselle's most obedient servant.
DUCOURNAU
Addressed: Mademoiselle Le Gras
2. - TO THE PASHA OF ALGIERS FROM LOUIS XIV
Illustrious and Magnificent Lord,
M. Barreau, French Consul in Algiers, and M. Le Vacher, Priest of the
Mission in the country in question, have complained to us about the
demands made on them daily because of the faults of others. Since it is
not right to hold them responsible for anything but their own faults, we
are writing this letter to ask you especially to prevent this sort of
injustice and to protect Messieurs Barreau and Le Vacher in the
exercise of their duties. They are our officers, assigned by us both to
facilitate commerce for our subjects with those of the Grand Lord and
to assist, corporally and spiritually, those among them who are slaves.
We assure you that, whenever the occasion arises, it will give us great
joy to prove our gratitude for this. We pray wholeheartedly that God
will keep you, Illustrious and Magnificent Lord, in His holy care.
Written in Paris on May 7, 1656
LOUIS DE LOMÉNIE
3. - DRAFT OF A LETTER FROM JEAN DES LIONS TO THE POPE1
June 8, 1656
Most Holy Father,
Since it is the intention of Our Lord and of His Church that His Vicar
on earth, the oracle of truth and of His truths, be consulted on matters
of faith, I, N., Doctor of the Sorbonne, Canon Theologian and Dean of
the Cathedral of Senlis, venture most humbly to entreat Y[our]
H[oliness] to make clear to me his will regarding a problem recently
debated at the Sorbonne. As soon as the Bull2 of Innocent X, of happy
memory, arrived in France, I had it published, declaring publicly that
people must submit to it, as I myself most willingly have submitted to
it. Since then, however, M. Arnauld,3 Doctor of the Sorbonne, using as a
basis the explanation of the first of the five condemned propositions,
has set forth one that has been censured by the Sorbonne. In it he
maintains that sometimes, in certain circumstances, God does not give
certain just persons the grace of fulfilling some precept, even when
they try their best to do so. He uses the example of Saint Peter, who,
he says, lacked grace when he denied Our Lord. I most humbly entreat
Y[our] H[oliness] to explain to me the truth on this point and to tell me
if you judge, as the Sorbonne has done, that this proposition is false
and heretical.
With my sincere declaration that I resolve to submit entirely and
most faithfully to all that you will pronounce on this.
4. - BERTRAND DUCOURNAU TO SAINT LOUISE
Monsieur Vincent's advice is to write to the Assembly, without
mincing any words, about the needs of the Sister and the orphans in
Étampes so that it will adopt a final decision. After that, we will see
whether it is advisable to have the Sister come here.
He has not seen Monsieur Arnault's letter, but it will not be necessary
for Mademoiselle Le Gras to send someone to ask the Pastor of Saint-
Laurent for it because he himself sent a Brother there. If he brings it, it
will be sent on to you, Mademoiselle, after Monsieur Vincent has seen
it.
On the back of the letter: For Mademoiselle Le Gras from Brother
Ducournau, Monsieur Vincent's secretary, concerning the Sister who
remained in Sedan, after the death of Sister Marie-Joseph.