Brian Condon: Letters and Documents in 19th Century Australian Catholic History

[Source: Adelaide Archdiocesan Archives copy. Draft]

Sydney

14 December 1824

Sir,

Having been for a long time of opinion that the establishment of a Seminary in which a select number of mature lads should be provided for at a low rate, kept at a distance from the contagion of bad example, so peculiarly and universally prevalent in this Colony, and educated for the Ecclesiastical state, as well as other professions, by humble disinterested and learned persons as force suspicion from Hypocrisy [and] Fanaticism, as from irreligion and licentiousness would have a general and most salutary influence on the morals of the rising generation, I am disposed to devote a considerable portion of my time, attention and exertions in endeavoring to commence one, for so important a purpose. Experience indeed obliges me to anticipate many of the numerous difficulties I shall have to encounter in such an attempt, the intriguing influence of concealed enmity and the malignant machinations of false friendship, the open opposition of *    * hostility, the number of years, the incessant and laborious exertion, anxious and painful solicitude, and the great sum of money required to complete it.

Whilst *        *, * nor discouraged by them I am induced the more strongly to implore the assistance of the Omnipotent and then to adopt such means as appear likely to insure success. Amongst these the most important in my opinion is to solicit, as I now presume to do, that patronage which you have afforded me on many occasions, and, I have reason to believe, as well privately as publicly.

It is probable that this my intention may be ascribed by sensible and well meaning men to a foolish and badly regulated mind, if not to a more improper motive, and consider it absurd in me to conceive it as well as impossible for me to execute it under my present circumstances and those of the Colony.

But it is not for the present circumstances of the Colony that I contemplate this establishment, but for those in which it will probably be, ten years hence, before which period a vast tide of emigration, which it is obviously the interest and the intention of the British Government to promote and facilitate, will flow to this Country. But even in its present state such an institution would be attended with incalculable advantages, and I fondly hope that what has already been effected here by my humble instrumentality will give you some assurance that the object I have now in view is not merely visionary.

I do not however expect completely to attain it before I return from England, to which I intend voyaging when the Chapel shall be roofed, to solicit permission to proceed and where I hope to make such arrangements as will enable me to consummate my wish.

I have the honor to be sir

With the greatest respect

Your Obedient humble Servant

J.J. Therry