This is a photostat of a letter of recommendation for Abel Stearns written in Spanish by Jean Alexis Bachelot, prefect apostolic of the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii), 1836 July 11. A translation and reference from David Burkenroad sent to Librarian Ruth Christensen in 1977 is also included in the collection.

Jean-Augustin Bachelot (1796, February 22 – 1837, December 5) was a Roman Catholic priest best known for his tenure as the first Prefect Apostolic of the Sandwich Islands. In that role, he led the first permanent Catholic mission to the Kingdom of Hawaii. Bachelot was raised in France, where he attended the Irish College in Paris, and was ordained a priest in 1820. He led the first Catholic mission to Hawaii, arriving in 1827. Abel Stearns (1798 February 9 – 1871 August 23) was a trader who came to Los Angeles, Alta California in 1829 and became a major landowner, cattle rancher and one of the area's wealthiest citizens.

0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)

Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Research Services and Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.