Letter from F to J Frachon, 26 June 1838 (1838)

NRA-L-000478 / 1838

Letter from F to J Frachon, 26 June 1838

F writes to Jacques Frachon about health, François's regiment and the 1838 cocoon harvest, including prices, reeling, silkworms and a commercial note.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000478

NRA-L-000478 image 1 showing an unfolded French family letter with an Annonay dateline, letter text, a rotated address panel, circular postal marks, docketing, folds and a dark seal remnant. — **Image 1**Letter text, address panel and postal evidence.

NRA-L-000478 image 2 showing the continuation and closing of a French family letter with a signature, folds, faint reverse writing and a grey seal remnant. — **Image 2**Letter text continuation and signature.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000478
Date: 1838-06-26
Original date: Tournon le 26 juin 38
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: F
Recipient: J. Frachon
Places: Tournon / Annonay
Extent: 2 documentary sides: Letter text, address panel and postal evidence; Letter text continuation and signature; 2 digital images.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000478.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Monsieur
M. J. Frachon
chez M.rs Duret & Chomel, nég.ts
à Annonay
Ardèche

Address panel

English translation

Mr J. Frachon
c/o Messrs Duret & Chomel, merchants
Annonay, Ardèche

Letter text - Image 1

Original transcript

Tournon le 26 juin 38

J'ai depuis plusieurs jours, mon cher Jacques, ta lettre du 15 sans avoir pu y répondre. Presque chaque jour et même la nuit j'ai souffert du mal aux dents; l'inconstance du temps y contribue, et puis c'est, je pense, du rhumatisme qui s'est porté à la tête. La chaleur paraît établie depuis dimanche; aussi me trouvé-je mieux et je me dispose à aller aujourd'hui avec ma femme à Jonvrat pour y passer deux jours. Voilà bien huit mois que je n'ai pu me procurer ce plaisir.

Tu me donnes de bonnes nouvelles de François, mais tu ne me dis pas s'il est toujours à Versailles. On avait vu dans les journaux que ce régiment devait se porter sur les frontières belges. Peut-être que le dépôt, où est François, est toujours resté à Versailles.

Nous avons devers nous bien à [...]


[Note commerciale]
M. [nom indistinct] a terminé pour les cocons à 3 f 2 s, payé 1/2 comptant & 1/2 fin 8bre. Je prendrai ta [graine?] en cours, & voudrais savoir si les blanches sont à peu près [faites?] afin d'aller les voir avant le décoconnage.

Letter text - Image 1

English translation

Tournon, 26 June 1838

I have had your letter of the 15th for several days, my dear Jacques, without having been able to answer it. Almost every day, and even at night, I have suffered from toothache; the unsettled weather contributes to it, and I think it is rheumatism that has gone to my head. The warm weather seems to have settled since Sunday, so I am feeling better and am preparing to go today with my wife to Jonvrat to spend two days there. It has been a full eight months since I was able to enjoy this pleasure.

You give me good news of François, but you do not tell me whether he is still at Versailles. The newspapers had reported that this regiment was to move towards the Belgian frontier. Perhaps the depot, where François is, has remained at Versailles.

[One short passage is illegible.]


[Commercial note]
Mr [name indistinct] concluded for the cocoons at 3 francs 2 sous, half paid in cash and half at the end of October. I shall take your [seed?] in due course, and would like to know whether the white ones are nearly [ready?], so that I may go and see them before the cocoons are stripped.

Letter text continuation and signature

Original transcript

À Olivet, de 40 à 47 livres de cocons, dont 1/3 doubles, ce qui nous a décidé à les faire filer malgré le haut prix des cocons. Nos voisins les ont vendus 54 sous; ils sont toujours recherchés, mais les premiers prix ne se sont pas soutenus. On offre 50 s., c'est le plus haut prix.

Les vers de Jonvrat sont beaux; ils monteront dimanche ou lundi. On en a jeté beaucoup par crainte de manquer de feuilles; elle se vend ici 10 francs le quintal.

J'espère que ta première m'apprendra que les tiens ont parfaitement réussi.

Nous vous embrassons tous [...].

F

J'ai une lettre de Vincent du 21. Il me dit que sa femme, sans être bien fatiguée, ne sort pas de la maison, ni même de sa chambre.

Letter text continuation and signature

English translation

At Olivet there were 40 to 47 pounds of cocoons, one third of them double cocoons. This led us to have them reeled despite the high price of cocoons. Our neighbours sold theirs for 54 sous; they are still sought after, but the opening prices did not hold. Fifty sous is being offered, and that is the highest price.

The silkworms at Jonvrat are fine; they will begin spinning on Sunday or Monday. Many were thrown away for fear of running short of leaves; leaves sell here for 10 francs per quintal.

I hope your next letter will tell me that yours have succeeded perfectly.

We all embrace you [...].

F

I have a letter from Vincent dated the 21st. He tells me that his wife, although not seriously ill, does not leave the house, or even her room.

Discovery Terms

Sericulture
Family correspondence
Military
Frachon Family Correspondence

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