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DePaul University Special Collections and Archives

The Tragic Death of Jean le Vacher

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Jean le Vacher's volume of correspondence with the French government in the years up to his death

Father Jean le Vacher spent the better part of 35 years in the Barbary. He was initially sent by Vincent to Tunis in 1648, along with a small cadre of other Vincentian priests and brothers. Most died of illness within months of their arrival, and some were simply unfit for the task of ministering in a hostile land. Le Vacher proved quite successful in his post. Until his death he, at various times, acted as both a Lazarist missionary and the French consul in Tunis and later Algiers. His success in North Africa stemmed from his ability to interact with Islamic Barbary leadership in a respectful and meticulous way. Even so, le Vacher had his life cut short by the struggles between European and Turkish powers.

After a French fleet arrived just outside Algiers in 1682, two years after the death of Vincent, to obtain the release of French captives held in the city, le Vacher mediated the discussion. After talks soured, the French began a protracted bombing of Algiers. In this group of letters to the French crown, le Vacher struggles to secure peace between France and Algiers.

In his final letter, dated January 30, 1683, he writes:

The Dey asks that I write His Majesty to explain that it was not necessary to send hither an army, and that if His Majesty were to send another vessel, even one small boat, it would give the Dey satisfaction if it were sent to renew peace....

The corsairs of this city have made twenty-two attacks on the French over the past year, which, by the grace of God, is not as significant as other places on the seas of the Levant; there have been around 300 people taken as slaves during this time, both crew members and passengers.

I sent a memo to M. Amiraut, Superior of our house in Marseille.

The contagion continues here, where many die each day, Our Father preserve them.

I am, in His love and His most Holy Mother, Sirs, your humble and obedient servant.

J. le Vacher, apostolic vicar

Le Vacher was soon accused of treason by the Algerians, despite his attempts to stop the French attack. On July 26, Jean le Vacher was strapped to the mouth of a cannon and blown apart by shrapnel.