FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

Letter 8.
[Letter from Marguerite Marie Le Det de Segrais, 1770-1817, to her husband Jean
Baptiste Florian in New Orleans. This letter is in handwritten translation only, from the
Mobile Public Library volumes.]
Westmead [England] June 27 [1809] No. 13
[also dated:] July 5, 1809
[To:] Florian Jolly, Esq.
Care M. Ledet
New Orleans
It is in the middle of the most discordant concert that I am trying to collect my ideas, so I
may converse with you. <strong>The</strong> pianoforte is [being played] in this room, Laura [is] at the
cabinet harp in the next room, and Miss R. is practicing her poor piano over my head.
Nevertheless, I am not complaining. My dear friend, I hear all that as a preparation for
our departure. A few days ago I received your letter of March 30. 79 I assure you that it
caused me to shed many tears of joy. I am so happy to know that you are spending your
first summer far away from the city, and also at knowing that you are with a circle of
people who can appreciate your knowledge. Hope for our future is somewhat revived in
my heart. You know very well that I cannot take credit for things as easily as you can,
but I think it is always very important to have made friendships, and I am very satisfied
with Mr. and Mrs. Atre, for the welcome they are giving you. Thank them for me for
that, and for the letter of introduction which they sent me for Mrs. Skipwith. Unhappily
[the letter] availed me nothing, as the lady did not even come to England.
I will try to make all your purchases, as far as my purse will permit me. My expenses
here are enormous, although I keep nothing for myself. I dare not tell you how much the
children’s teachers cost me a week. I feel certain that it is “good grain sown on good
soil” and that the harvest will re-pay us for the money spent now.
I am happy about the trouble they go to, Joseph has not yet left, and I do not know when
he will. I am still exceedingly apprehensive – if I were sure I that Peter had arrived in
time. We hope that soon ships will come [from?] New Orleans. Mrs. Anson has written
to Liverpool to learn if there were any arrivals. <strong>The</strong>re are none at all yet. I am feverishly
eager. Joseph [?] would not want us to leave before the middle of August, and he assures
me that Peter will have returned by then.
I have some bad news to tell you. I am afraid I cannot bring you any guns. <strong>The</strong>
[customs? wartime?] orders are carried out very strictly. Joseph says I would most
certainly run a risk in taking you one [a gun]. I will see however when my passage is
79 This is letter 15 in Section 1 above, which describes Montesano, West Florida, and how the Governor is
keen to back the creation of a school in that vicinity.
101