You might remember from our Founders’ Day blog post that Father Nobili was the Italian Jesuit who founded Santa Clara College in 1851 and worked to make it a tenantable place that taught habits of moral control and mental stamina in line with Jesuit pedagogy of ratio studiorum. While Archives & Special Collections has a robust collection of Father Nobili’s papers, it lacks letters written by Father Nobili; most commonly the letters are ones Father Nobili received.
This past spring our regular researcher Pete Hubbard came across a special letter written by Father Nobili to his Jesuit superior Father DeSmet. It appears that Father Nobili copied his original letter for reference purposes, the original having been sent to Father DeSmet. This very special letter is written in French, so Pete proposed the idea of getting it translated. Of course this sounded like a great idea that improves accessibility to our collections, especially one that is as important as our founder’s correspondence.
Archives & Special Collections student research assistant Ellie Rabenberg is a French major so she went to work. First she transcribed the letter so we had typed words to reflect the contents of the letter’s script. Next she started translating the French line by line. Humanities Librarian Leanna Goodwater helped her use OSCAR to identify 19th century French dictionaries and grammar guides to assist with language contemporary to Father Nobili’s time. For the few remaining words Ellie was not sure of, Cataloging Specialist Billie Knepper helped, as well as Professor Andrew Keener who brought his own brand of literary curiosity. It was really a group effort, the lion’s share reflecting the great work of Ellie.
The translation I am about to present represents how archives can engender collaborative processes that open up primary sources to a larger audience.
Read the letter below and let us know what you think of its contents. Anything surprising or exciting for you? Enjoy!
Page 1 of Fr. Nobili to Fr. DeSmet 
Page 2 of Fr. Nobili to Fr. DeSmet 
Page 3 of Fr. Nobili to Fr. DeSmet
Santa Clara November 27, 1852
My Reverend and Dear Father,
Excuse me, if I waited too long to answer your interesting letter. I am so busy, and if this reason is not suffice, I give to you my very humble mea culpa. You tell me of the good services of Sir Beale, Superintendent of Indian Affairs, towards the catholic missionaries. I found these as such. In a visit I had the honor of praying with him and his Monsignor [the] Bishop. He well desires the help of a Father whom you know; and it is the opinion of everyone and mostly of Monsignor, that this is the best project that can be formed. The spacious and suitable lands and must be in agreement among the different Indian tribes; and if all were led by religious advice, we would see reductions being made, missions so necessary to the spiritual and temporal good of the Indians would soon be formed. Our presence would therefore be necessary and it is so much desired that it is believed to be next (as the news goes around). Given all these reasons, I doubt that you will not be allowed to fill the wish of all, and to have us enjoy your presence soon.
My little college begins to enlarge. It contains at the present 33 boarder students and as many external students. I had to refuse a lot due to lack of space to begin. I work every day at enlarging, and to improving these old buildings that look like real prisons and were falling into ruins. I wish that with time the college will become big enough and well enough supplied to be the best education house in California. It is already in the eyes of the public even though there are several other academies or colleges in competition with ours. We are given preference that I can not satisfactorily meet all requests.
We can see in the others neither the order nor the stability which characterize our houses. Unable to support themselves, they often pass into the hands of another Protestant denomination which does not do better, left to the others the care of trying. And me also, My Reverend Father, I feel sometimes the inconvenience of using layperson professors. oh! what a grand service you would give me if you could one way or another get one of us whose native language is English. It is the desire of our very Reverend Father General who encourages me with all their strength in my business, and allows me quick assistance aiding him, please make a good choice and send labor.
The Mission of Santa Clara where I live, so that all of the other Missions of California who were once rich in land, animals, and to the buildings: they are now poor because everything is lost, alienated, stolen. A commission was named for requesting from the States’ Government: 1. As law, restitutions of buildings and contiguous gardens and enclosures, done with the expenses of various different missions. 2. As a favor, a gift of a section of the land for support of each of them. If at the least the first request was granted I would be very happy. But as experience has taught me to know the venality of the American heart, I hope more in favor that you can enjoy with the civil power in the efforts of our commissioners. Talk about the top to Col. Benton and those who can help us; to move heaven and earth, if necessary for the good of the poor Church of California.
Some time ago I received a letter announcing the sending of some books. I received the letter again; the books are still coming. If you learn anything new pass it onto me. I still have a favor to ask you. That is, if the occasion presents itself of buying me some cheap instruments, old or new, but good, of physics, astronomy, chemistry, especially the main ones, such as those which concern electricity, etc. etc. You have the kindness to send me them by opportunity or safe way and I will take care of it as well as the books you sent.
It is a question of making the Reverend Father Ravalé come to me, whose health is not better in the Rocky Mountains. I have the pleasure of often seeing the Reverend Fathers Devos and Gets who serve the cure of Pueblo San José, ancient capital of Upper California, located a league [3 miles] from here. These two Fathers like it there and are doing well. They are also taking care of a beautiful boarding school of Notre Dame sisters who already have 100 student boarders. The beautiful order of this house as well as its prosperity makes the administration of the country – it is also making jealousy. Nearly here.
My dear Father, all that interests you. I leave the rest to see for when you come.
Please remember. In your good prayers.
Your very humble Servant.
Lastly, we should mention that there is an inscription in Italian at the bottom of page 1, presumably notes Father Nobili wrote to himself on this reference copy of the letter. From left to right we see:
Mr. Benton
libri di Rettorica [rhetoric books]
Apparatus in Spagnuolo i libri [Apparatus? / equipment? Spanish books]
Ho inviato il quarzo. [I sent the quartz]
To cite this letter, you should know it comes from 3DB01, Box 2, Folder 89. 3DB01 is the record group for the Papers of John Nobili, which are fully described on the Online Archive of California.