FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

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Enjoying more other fathers the love and talents of his children, which were the result of his endeavors; enjoying the society of a few intimate friends, and above all the friendship of my brothers, who for some time came to share our shabby life, he was [still] happy then. It was only in Louisiana that he was truly unfortunate. I cannot depict to you, Monsieur, his despair at seeing himself reduced to not fulfilling his promises. He thought it a crime to have invested the fruits of the assiduous and painful labors of his daughters. I have seen him even in his moments of anguish invoke a fever to his aid. I can attribute his premature end only to the failures and the worries he experienced – at least if they were not the immediate cause, it was the continuation. Alas, if his mind had been at ease, the fever perhaps would not have made such rapid progress. His last moments, however, were very calm. He recognized his condition and had the courage to conceal it from his children, for fear of alarming them; they were all with him – do not ask me to tell you more. <strong>The</strong>re remains to tell you of my family. My father, M. Ledet Desegray, fled to New York in ’92 [1792], at which place he died mourned by all those who had the good fortune to know him. My grandfather Beaugeard, Treasurer of the Etats of Brittany, was also a victim of fanaticism. He was also known in France for his immense fortune, for the use of which—judge this! – they called him “the Son of God, the Father of the Poor.” His son, my mother’s brother, was Secretary to the Queen [Marie Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI]. He had the good fortune, on August tenth [1792], to save the life of the King, catching on his arm the dagger thrust which was intended for him (the King). 97 As long as they lived, he continued to render them what services he could; since their tragic death he has been living in Brittany. Perhaps I should tell you that all my relatives were initiated into your mysteries. 98 It meant very little to me, Monsieur, to have lost my position and the fortune that I could have hoped for in France. I regretted, it is true, my fate, since it separated me from my parents and relatives, but I did have consolation in the bosom of my family [by marriage], which many other émigrés did not have. Born under the same roof, raised with him to whom my destiny was bound by the dearest ties, I was able to be happy everywhere with him, as indulgent and tender a husband, as good a father, a good brother, good friend, and a good master. His behavior was never other than good, and the emptiness which his loss has left me cannot be compared to anything I could have imagined until this moment, as you may 97 On 10 August 1792 a mob and some organized revolutionaries attacked the Tuileries and seized the King. This famous date marked the end of the monarchy in France. <strong>The</strong> King was forced to march out of the Palace through a gauntlet of revolutionary guards who were supposed to protect him from the mob. It is likely that this attempted assassination took place then. This incident is not reported in standard French histories, and may be a new footnote in history. 98 It is clear that the reference here is to Masonic mysteries. French cousin-in-law Hughes de Boiry reports that Pierre Beaugeard also was a Freemason in St Malo and in Rennes. 122
ealize only too well by what I have just written. I do not have the strength to recommence writing, nor the courage to re-read what I have written. I make so bold as to flatter myself, Monsieur, that your understanding will be able to supply what is lacking here-in. Make what use you find right of the facts to which I bear witness. I rely on your talents to make known his fine qualities, and I ask your discretion in not showing this letter to anyone. Your very humble servant, Madame Florian Jolly, Widow 123
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FLORIAN Th
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Section 2: Letters from Other Famil
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France still correspond, keep track
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Published Writings of Jean Baptiste
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Estelle Sims Collection. This consi
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Note on Translation and Holdings Wo
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Note on Monetary Exchange Value In
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Letter 1. 2 [Letter translated, not
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the education, with the compensatio
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Letter 2. [Letter translated, not o
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In case you receive from Messrs. Fa
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Letter 5. Halifax [Nova Scotia], 4
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Joseph Marie Le Det de Segrais Pier
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sorrow, my tender friend, that I ca
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Letter 7. Philadelphia, October 30,
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We crossed the state of New Jersey
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Letter 8. [Lancaster, PA] November
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sobbing of the women _____ _______
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Letter 9. Pittsburg[h], Sunday, Nov
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years, one finds himself with a ret
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Mr. and Mrs. Linton, with all the r
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ecause the current was so rapid and
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Letter 11. Natchez, 4 January, 1809
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of 20 to 22 cents per pound, as it
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Letter 12. New Orleans, January 23,
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I have sent to Mrs. Kirkland letter
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will see all the country from there
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Letter 14. New Orleans, February 11
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Letter 15. New Orleans, February 12
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They think only of
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Letter 17. New Orleans, March 5, 18
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We have had news from England, of t
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[p 2] Madame Sain [Dai?] will entru
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Letter 19. Montesano [West Florida,
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Bring along also a few bushels of S
Page 71 and 72: Letter 20. Montesano [West Florida,
Page 73 and 74: ye-grass, clover, sainfoin, [Lucern
Page 75 and 76: Section 2 Letters From Other Family
Page 77 and 78: as much for the grandeur as for the
Page 79 and 80: Your affectionate uncle, Jolly Patr
Page 81 and 82: ignorant of the renunciation which
Page 83 and 84: Eliza talks only about her pretty f
Page 85 and 86: Elizabeth Florian Talcott, later in
Page 87 and 88: Letter 5. [Letter from Marguerite M
Page 89 and 90: I have seen the Couissin girls, the
Page 91 and 92: I took [the girls?] to a grand ball
Page 93 and 94: They should not al
Page 95 and 96: Your sisters had promised to reimbu
Page 97 and 98: Now I must scold you for not termin
Page 99 and 100: My dear Papa, My sisters have told
Page 101 and 102: Letter 8. [Letter from Marguerite M
Page 103 and 104: hair, which is almost all white. Yo
Page 105 and 106: some years this will be quite a lar
Page 107 and 108: Letter 10. . [Undated letter from P
Page 109 and 110: Duault is the most perfect and fine
Page 111 and 112: sad, as did I, just a passerby on t
Page 113 and 114: almost all the summer in the countr
Page 115 and 116: Letter 12. [Letter from Pierre Rene
Page 117 and 118: Adieu dear Friend! I hope that at l
Page 119 and 120: Letter 14. [Letter in response from
Page 121: attachments which had been planned
Page 125 and 126: For two months, while I have been a
Page 127 and 128: I don’t have time on this occasio
Page 129 and 130: not complain of anything, but his t
Page 131 and 132: Letter 19. [Letter to Azelie Floria
Page 133 and 134: Letter 20. Emma’s Narrative Proba
Page 135 and 136: On Saturday the 21 st [unfortunatel
Page 137 and 138: I told him I was not afraid, but as
Page 139: The climate and th
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