Letter from Jean Baptiste Thounens to John James Joseph Gourgas, 1827 September 20

Letter from Jean Baptiste Thounens to Gourgas 1827/09/20

To Most Illustrious Brother JJJ

Gourgas in New York.

Orient of St. Pierre, Martinique

The 29th day of the 7th month 5827

September 20, 1827

Most illustrious & dear brother,

I had the honor of receiving your baluster dated July 15th as well as the masonic book on the 27th of last month. Receive in return my sincere thanks. Writing you at random [not knowing where you might be, I don’t dare including with my response the $5¼ that you have advanced for the objects. I am waiting for the American Consul to return from the countryside to know if he could transmit the money that I would have previously given him for you.

As you requested, I am sending you three copies of our “La Concorde’s” tableau.

The consistory formed in 580 (sic) by illustrious brother Duquesne, was not approved by the great orient of France. Consequently, this body did not do anything and ceased to exist. The same happened to the second chamber in Guadeloupe ….

We do not have any relation with Jamaica which, being Leeward to us, we do not house any ship from that country, expect maybe once in every 4 to 5 years – Correspondence with that country can only happen by rebound, that is to say via England, which is too long and expensive.

The “La Concorde” consistory of the 32nd degree was founded by me on the 10th day of the 5th month 5820 [July 10, 1820] and established by the Grand Orient on the 5th day of the 12th month 5821 [February 5, 1821].

I do not know what happened to illustrious brother DeGrasse, who, as you must have heard, was judged, and condemned by the Supreme Council of the 33rd degree which he created after the concordat between him and the Grand Orient in 1804.

Concerning the masonic notebooks that I asked of you, our consistory, our [unreadable word] chapter & our “La Concorde” Lodge have, with my constitutional charter, those [notebooks] of the ancient accepted modern Scottish rites sent by the Grand Orient of France. We only needed the others that I mentioned to you, be it American or English. Most Illustrious and Dear Brother, could you then tell me how I should precede by sending me an example of the letter I should write and let me know the price that must be paid for those notebooks etc. etc. etc. so that we may own them.

I’ll be very grateful if you could provide me with a dozen pounds of [unreadable word] yeast (sic) divided into small slices of 3 to 4 ounces, and with a few small plants of a bush called Myrica Cenifera, that produces that green vegetal wax. In the absence of plants, seeds that potentially could be planted and a “quartant” [quart = one liter] of peach eau-de-vie (Seach brandy (sic)). Acknowledge the consignment of these things (Bills of lading) so that the captain of the vessel can make his custom declaration here to allow me to make the formality for introducing [plants and seeds in the country]. Your expenses will immediately be sent to you when I know the amount.

Be assured that I wish that the Grand Architect of the Universe protect you with his most precious gifts, joy, health & prosperity and continue to make the Order prosper in its full brightness. Be also assured of my steadfast devotion,

Most Illustrious & Very Dear Brother

Your Affectionate Brother

Thounens

Grand Inspector General

33rd Degree

Translator Remarks: A bill of lading is included with the letter. It’s dated July 16, 1827 It seems that Thounens received what he was asking Gourgas for on August 29, 1827. A brief description of Gourgas’ parcel is written on the bill of lading. Thounens is qualified as Printer and Director of the Post Office at Saint Pierre in Martinique.

Kamel Oussayef 2/28/2022