Letter from Rivière frères to... (1777)

NRA-L-000391 / 1777

Letter from Rivière frères to Hennessy & Saule, 1777-10-12

A letter from La Tremblade to Hennessy & Saule reporting the 1777 grape harvest, wine prospects, scarcity and demand, remaining 4/8 eau-de-vie and the price of boiler salt.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000391

NRA-L-000391 image 1 showing the folded address panel to the Hennessy firm and a named partner in Cognac, with a dark sealing remnant and later docketing. — **Image 1**Address panel to the Hennessy firm in Cognac, with sealing remnant and docketing.

NRA-L-000391 image 2 showing handwritten French letter text dated 12 December 1777, discussing sales and quantities, with a prominent closing signature. — **Image 2**Letter text dated 12 December 1777, with prominent closing signature.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000391
Date: 1777-10-12
Original date: La Tremblade 12.e 8.bre 1777
Type: Commercial correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: Rivière frères
Recipient: Hennessy & Saule
Places: La Tremblade / Cognac / La Tremblade–Cognac
Extent: 2 documentary sides: Documentary page 1; Documentary page 2; 2 digital images.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000391.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

A Messieurs
Messieurs Hennessy & Saule
à Cognac

Address panel

English translation

To Messrs.
Messrs. Hennessy & Saule
in Cognac

Documentary page 2

Original transcript

Messieurs Hennessy & Saule a Cognac.
LaTremblade 12.e 8.bre 1777.
Messieurs
Rep. 25
Nous avons l'honneur de vous informer que
nous avons commencé les Vendanges: elle promettent
moitié moins de vin que l'année derniere, mais
il sera beaucoup meilleur. Il n'y a encore point
de prix en cette denrée, quy sera très demandée
icy, a cause de la petite quantité qu'il y a
ailleurs, & principalement en Bretagne, ou les
foires ont manqué. Il ne nous reste que quelques
Pieces d'eaudevie de 4/8, dont on offre 200.ll sans
vendeurs: on en fera gueres l'an prochain.
La fourniture a été un peu plus forte
que la precedente: le sel de chaudiere est a
750.ll les 28/ Muids, a quitté.
Nous avons l'honneur d'etre bien sincerement
Messieurs
vos très humbles &
obeissans serviteurs
Riviere freres

Documentary page 2

English translation

Messrs. Hennessy & Saule in Cognac.
La Tremblade, 12 October 1777.
Replied the 25th.

Gentlemen,

We have the honour to inform you that we have begun the grape harvest. It promises half as much wine as last year, but it will be much better. There is not yet any price for this commodity, which will be in great demand here because of the small quantity available elsewhere, principally in Brittany, where the fairs have failed. We have only a few pieces of 4/8 eau-de-vie left, for which 200 livres are offered without sellers; hardly any will be made next year. The supply was a little greater than the previous one; boiler salt is at 750 livres for 28 muids, duty paid. We have the honour to be very sincerely, Gentlemen, your very humble and obedient servants, Rivière frères.

Discovery Terms

Cognac trade
Hennessy & Saule
Grape harvest
Wine
Eau-de-vie
Prices
Salt
La Tremblade
Hennessy
France — domestic trade

Transcriptions and English translations are provided as working scholarly aids, not as replacements for the images of the original documents. Some readings may remain uncertain, especially where handwriting, spelling, damage, abbreviations, names or places are difficult.

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