FLORIAN - The Most Traveled Man on Earth

others-in-law, Peter and Joseph, and that they should have a home and some land. He
himself possesses 2500 arpents of land 33 and he would cede us a part on a long term
lease, at a low price, in an area very suitable for cotton. Such are his proposals. I look on
them as somewhat those of an impetuous man, and of a man given to big schemes.
Nevertheless, reducing them to a realistic size, and [p 2] examining them without
exaggeration, it seems to me that here is the most central spot in all the colony, 40
leagues above New Orleans, 10 leagues below Point Coupee an Bayou Sara, very
populous places and the richest in the area, and where there a total lack of means to given
the most meager instruction to the children. We could be sure of all possible support
from the Governor. And, what is most essential, Mr. Herries would take care of all the
advance payments, and while waiting for the establishment to be built, he offers us bed
and board at his home.
<strong>The</strong> land is very fine around here, especially on the Comite and Amite Rivers 2 to 3
leagues from here. One could obtain a concession free from the Government, as
encouragement, or at worst one could buy as much land as one wants, at 4 piasters per
square arpent, with payment over 1, 2, 3 or 4 years, which is very reasonable.
From the Amite River you go by Lake Maurepas and Lake Ponchartrain to New Orleans
in 26 [36?] hours, or two days, at the most. Mr. Herries hopes to obtain from the
government at Pensacola, through the good offices of Baron de Grandpre, free entry
(without paying duties) of all that you will be bringing to set up our establishments, such
as books, instruments, etc. In any case, the duties at Pensacola are only six percent,
whereas in the United States they are 26 percent, and perhaps even the merchandise and
other objects made in England will be totally forbidden.
I strongly desire, therefore, that you come directly to Pensacola, and even more so since
the sister of Madame Herries, Mrs. Skipwith [Skipworth?] is coming here by that route
from England, with all her family, next autumn, and you could come together. It would
be good for Joseph to obtain from M. de Fastet [Tallet?] a shipment to Pensacola or even
Havana, and that he bring all of you with him. Or he could find freight shipment to Vera
Cruz or any port in the Gulf of Mexico. He could arrange to touch at Pensacola and have
you come ashore with your things. If Joseph and Peter no longer have a ship [?] to
command, then just let them come with you by this route.
Mr. Herries is convinced that by establishing a brewery here, one could make a fortune
quickly. If Joseph or Peter were tempted to try it, they would find that he [Mr. Herries]
would give a piece of land and have the necessary buildings constructed. But he [Joseph]
should try to bring along a man who is good at making “malt” [in English]. <strong>The</strong> bring
beer here from the North, that is, from New York, Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, to New
Orleans and all this area, where the Americans drink a lot of it.
[Margin notes on page 2, in English:]
33 An arpent is roughly an acre.
68