Letter from Jean Baptiste Thounens to John James Joseph Gourgas, 1808 September 26

Letter from Jean Baptiste Thounens to Gourgas 1808/09/26

Orient of St. Pierre on the 26th of the 7th month 5808

[September 26, 1808]

Very Dear and Most Illustrious Brother

Back from the countryside, I received your lecture dated the last 28th of the 5th month [July 28, 1808], as well as what came with it, but Captain Howland was already gone. I was waiting for the departure of Very Dear Brother Roche – Rose Croix – to respond to you and at the same time send you the $8.5 that you were kind enough to advance for me. This dear brother was supposed to leave in a few days, I was hurrying to exhaust the wish of my heart (sic) and write you this letter to thank you for all the errands that I ask for and particularly for the books (documents) that you were so kind to send me. Brother Roche will hand you 8.5 Gourdes [Haitian currency more of less equivalent to $8.5 US] that I already asked August Gobert, Esq to pay you but back in Fort de France with Captain Howland, he wrote me that he went 20 times to your place without being able to see you because you were in the countryside.

I am sending you an essay of mine, labor for the last St. John of the Winter Solstice: To pass the trowel on the imperfections to only see the masonic zeal of those who sketched speeches and songs verses (sic).

I wish you, Very Dear and Illustrious Brother, perfect health, Joy and above all prosperity, and I assure you with sincerity (p, l, n) by the Sacred and masonic numbers) to be

Your very devoted and Affectionate Brother

J.B. THounens

Rose-Croix &

A 32° S∴P∴R∴S∴

September 27, 1808

My sealed letter had already been given to Brother Roche. However, we thought that Captain Howland was gone but he is still here. I took back my parcel to give it to him, including the 8.5 dollars (Haitian Courdes).

Salutation & Prosperity

JBH

To the Very Dear Brother Gourgas – New York

In the back of the letter: September 26, 1808

St. Pierre, Martinique

J.B. Hounens

Kamel Oussayef 2/11/2022