FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

Duault is the most perfect and fine man that I know, and the best father of the prettiest
children one can find. You believe that he could help his family by [moving] to get
established in New Orleans. I believe that that would be the most satisfactory thing for
his daughters and his son. But he has a position paying 4 to 5000 francs a year, and he is
along in years although he is still vigorous, and he knows nothing about business. <strong>The</strong>y
live here comfortably, move in good society, and when one is “acoquine” [captivated] by
the soul of Paris, one would have great grief in leaving. I do not believe he could ever
think of becoming an expatriate. He is quite happy here, and it is better to leave well
enough alone. His sister is living with him, and their small means keep them going. It is
the La Voltais and Le Douarain [daughters of Pierre Beaugeard, who lived in castle of La
Voltais and castle of Lemo] who would have been suitable for this exporting of young
girls. <strong>The</strong>re are 5 or 6 in the old chateau of Lemo, and as many in that of La Voltais, and
all that won’t have one [?], and they change in a deplorable fashion, and end up dying of
consumption.
Miss Eliza did not wish to run this risk, nor dear Laura either. I am anxious to get to
India, to send them some Indian muslin for making those cute little hats which foretell
some little nephews. I shall send some for your four daughters at the same time, although
I have heard it said that Eliza plans to be in a Bernardin convent, and that she must take
her vows incessantly. 86
I embrace my dear little nieces, and I am going to make a little collection of drawings for
Virginia. I shall try to write you again by Mr. Petry, a chance I shall not have again for
perhaps a long time.
Thy dear brother,
Pierre
86 Since Eliza married David Talcott in New Orleans on 30 Nov 1812, it is likely that this letter was written
before that date.
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