Memorial to Missouri Province, Peter Kenny, SJ (1832)
This is a letter written by Peter Kenny, SJ concerning the condition of the slaves at St. Ferdinand in the Missouri Province and, in particular, on the positive role that the Jesuits have been playing at St. Ferdinand in creating excellent conditions for these slaves. Each missioner there is allowed one servant and is responsible only for his/her services. The Jesuits are, in Kenny's words, "strictly and solemny [sic] not to inflict or threaten to inflict corporal chastisement" upon their slaves. This has been crucial to their current happiness according to Fr. Kenny. It is clear that this letter is a written manifestation of the belief that the Jesuits manage good plantations because of their paternalistic actions and motivations. Ironically, though, lay persons are to deliver punishment to the Jesuits' slaves if it is well deserved, and Jesuits are even allowed to inflict corporal chastisement themselves in some exceptions. For example, they are expected to inflict corporal chastisement on boys and youth not yet 21 years of age in order to set them on the right path.
Memorial to Missouri Province, Peter Kenny, SJ (1832)
In determining the places to which the coloured [sic] servants belong, the visitor meant to have it understood that as the missioner at St. Ferdinand has for his immediate superior, the local superior of the farm, whether he be or be not master of novices, so the farm is bound to supply him with a servant, who is to be removed & changed as the superior of the farm may direct, provided another be substituted in his place. The missioner for the residence at St. Ferdinand acquires no other right in the servant, than the services which he renders to him, as long as he is allowed to remain with him.
The visitor takes this occasion of recording the satisfaction which he experiensed [sic], & the edification which he received on witnessing in each of our houses of the Missouri, the good sandust, industry & christian piety of all the coloured [sic] servants of both sexes. He considers that as a matter of credit to our fathers & of much edification to the faithful in general, & it is the more appreciated by the visitor, as our houses of Missouri are the only ones, where no complaints have been made of the slaves. To preserve so great a good as he exhorts the fathers to preserve every where the same paternal & yet vigilant conduct towards those creatures, whose happiness here & hereafter so much depends on the treatment they derive from their masters. All our priests & nonpriests will understand, that is strictly & solemny [sic] forbidden them to inflict any species of corporal chastisement on a female slave, or ever to threaten by word or act, that they will themselves personally chastise them. Should such correction ever become necessary, lay persons may be employed to do it. Neither are the priests to inflict corporal chastisement on the male servants, but this when necessary, it may be allowed to lay brothers who have authority over them. By this prohibition priests are prevented from administering to any one corporal chastisement, however well deserved, which could be considered severe punishment. But though they should as much as possible ever attain from an act so little consonant to their sacred character, it is not here intended, to interdict that slight correction which is sometimes necessary to be given to boys & youth, who are not yet 21years of age.
The visitor earnestly hopes, that the college of St. Louis will soon imitate the example given at the farm of the novice ship by providing separate houses or chambers for each family of servants, & what is still more necessary, separate places for the unmarried males & females.