This is possibly the earliest French missionary letter directly
from Pekin to overseas via French international postal system. 1853
(14
This is possibly the earliest French missionary letter directly
from Pekin to overseas via French international postal system. 1853
(14 June) a French missionary letter dated June 14, 1853,
originating from the village of Ngan Kia Tchouang 安家庄 ( Anjiazhuang
) in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Zhili (modern-day Hebei).
The letter is written to Institut d’Afrique in Peking by Father
Joseph Martial Mouly 孟振生，當時任北京教區代理主教 . The text identifies the
ecclesiastical jurisdiction then managed by the Lazarist
(Vincentian) order and begins with the traditional pious invocation
“+ J.M.J.” (Jesus, Mary, Joseph). Ngan Kia Tchouang 安家庄
(Anjiazhuang) is a famous Catholic “Christian village” in Hebei
province. During the mid-1800s, it served as an important
missionary station and refuge for foreign priests and local
converts. It was often used as a base for the Bishop or senior
missionaries when they were not in Beijing itself. On the reverse
side, there is a large official episcopal seal (Bishop’s seal) of
Joseph Martial Mouly. The transcription of the Seal reads: “JOS.
MART. MOULY EPIS. FESSUL. VIC. AP. TCHELY-SEPT. PEKIN.”, i.e.,
Joseph Martial Mouly, Bishop of Fussula (His titular see), Vicar
Apostolic, North Zhili (Northern Hebei) of Beijing.
1853.6.14 寄北京教區代理主教孟振生，由直隸安家莊寄出。可能為自北京經法國郵政系統寄海外之最早教會信件。
