Letter from Frachon Dugas to J. M.... (1840)

NRA-L-000519 / 1840

Letter from Frachon Dugas to J. M. Frachon, 1840-11-08

Frachon Dugas discusses a possible position for Vincent with the Mante firm, the references to obtain in Frankfurt, a possible interview in Lyon and the commercial languages and travel the work might require.

Neruda Archives
NRA-L-000519

NRA-L-000519 image 1 showing a folded address panel to a Frachon correspondent with postal marks, routing notations and paper folds. — **Image 1**Address panel, postal evidence and retained annotations.

NRA-L-000519 image 2 showing a handwritten French letter page with manuscript text, marginal notes and visible fold lines. — **Image 2**Letter text — Page 1.

NRA-L-000519 image 3 showing a handwritten French letter page with manuscript text, marginal notes and visible fold lines. — **Image 3**Letter text — Page 2.

NRA-L-000519 image 4 showing a handwritten French letter continuation with closing, signature, annotations, folds and paper edges. — **Image 4**Letter text, closing and retained annotations.

Archive Record

Identifier: NRA-L-000519
Date: 1840-11-08
Original date: Voiron le 8 9bre 1840
Type: Family correspondence
Language: French / fr
Sender: Frachon Dugas
Recipient: Jn Mᵉ Frachon
Places: Voiron / Annonay
Extent: 4 documentary sides: Documentary page 1; Documentary page 2; Documentary page 3; Documentary page 4; 4 digital images.
Citation: Neruda Archives, NRA-L-000519.

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Transcript and English translation

working scholarly aid

Address panel

Original transcript

Monsieur
Jn Mᵉ Frachon
à Annonay

Address panel

English translation

Monsieur
Jn Mᵉ Frachon
at Annonay

Documentary page 2

Original transcript

Voiron le 8 9bre 1840
voici la copie d'un paragraphe d'une lettre de madame Mante
pour M.rs [?]
Maintenant mon cher ami, venions a notre neveu, Il se trouve
que Justement ces messieurs ont besoin d'un sujet. ce genre d'education
leur conviendrait très bien; mais Il ne connait pas du tout la
Marchandise; Il est vrai qu'il faut sy metre promptement avec de
l'intelligence
Mais il faut connaitre ce jeune homme; savoir s'il possede
ce qu'il faut; pour cela, il faudrait le voir; causer avec lui &c&c
Mr Mante ne voudraient pas lui faire faire le voyage de francfort
sans que pour le voir; d'ailleurs ces messieurs seraient assez pressés
pour ne pas vouloir attendre plus que au mois de Janvier
Il serait possible a ces messieurs, que ce dont votre neveu dont
nous donnons de la sante sur lui; ainsi donc dites moi si votre
neveu est a meme d'unir sa famille & si on aurait occasion
de le voir suivant sa disposition il pourrait etre employé
directement dans la maison ou je serais content de le
voir entrer, dans interet pour tout ce qui vous touche.
Je réponds a madame Mante, que je vous communique
la partie & que j'attends votre reponse pour la lui faire
Connaitre
je l'engagerai a prendre des informations de vincent a
francfort [...] maison pour un [...] que vous lui
prodiguez sur ce que veut faire vincent
selon bien votre reponse qui faut me faire esperer
de maniere a ce que je veuille adresser votre lettre, ne
craignez pas de me dire que la (comme si m'en repondais) reponse que j'enverrais
a lui, dont la place dans une bonne maison de
partout vaut bien deux a la fois, le logement
et 1500 f, vous qui etes bien loin & qui vous desesperiez
de le voir attaché a une Maison française

Documentary page 2

English translation

Voiron, 8 November 1840

Here is a copy of a paragraph from a letter by Madame Mante [the firm's abbreviated designation is unclear].

"Now, my dear friend, let us come to our nephew. It happens that these gentlemen need an employee. His education would suit them well, but he does not know the merchandise at all; with intelligence, however, it can be learned quickly.

They must first know the young man and determine whether he has the necessary qualities; for that, they would have to see and speak with him. Mr Mante would not wish to bring him from Frankfurt merely for an interview, and the firm is sufficiently pressed that it may not wish to wait beyond January. [One clause concerning an intermediary assessment of the nephew is partly unclear.] Tell me whether your nephew is able to leave his present firm and whether there will be an opportunity to see him. Depending on his abilities, he might be employed directly in the firm, where I would be pleased to see him enter because of my interest in everything that concerns you."

I am replying to Madame Mante that I have communicated this part of her letter to you and am awaiting your answer. I shall encourage the firm to obtain information about Vincent in Frankfurt. [Several connecting clauses are indistinct.] Do not hesitate to answer candidly: a position in a good firm, including lodging and 1,500 francs, is valuable, especially when you are far away and had despaired of seeing him attached to a French firm.

Documentary page 3

Original transcript

Je ne serai pas qu'il vous convienne de faire venir
vincent sous caution avec ces M.rs c'est bien loin, il faut
me dire que les M.rs Mantes ont sans doute des relations
a francfort, qu'ils pourraient faire prendre des renseign.s sur
la moralité de vincent & sur sa capacité, aupres de
la Maison Neuville & C.ie dans laquelle jl a ete elevé
& meme faire comparaitre vincent pour
etre questionne sur ce qu'il sait. vous pouvez aussi
prier Madame Kœg, pour donner des renseign.s
sur sa conduite privée
enfin si vous sentez qu'il puisse venir a Lyon
ce qui ne serait pas un voyage bien long, vous vous
expliquerez la dessus, mais jl faudrait s'il fait ce voyage avec
quelque chance de succes le rendre utile dans leur maison
dites moi ce que vous croyez avantageux a v/. fils. s'il est
ouvert intelligent s'il trevaille bien, ecrit facilement, s'il est laborieux
assidu, il fera ce qu'on voudra soit qu'on veuille le faire voyager
(ce que je crois) soit qu'on veuille l'envoyer en angleterre en
amerique ou en espagne (ou jl parait qu'ils font beaucoup
d'affaires pour le [?]) dites qu'il ne connait
pas l'espagnol mais que la langue anglaise le suppléerait
jl serait peut etre bien de mander a cette relation a
ces M.rs pour que vincent leur ecrivit & s'en expliqua avec
eux directement de ce qu'ils voudraient lui faire connaitre
l'emploi auquel jls le destinent & comment aussi s'engager
D'un ecrit a leur ecrire, pour leur demander s'il me
renseigne de l'emploi & connaitre dans quelle serait son
occupation, le genre d'affaire auquel jl se livrait, jl
consulterait ses chef, & jls le guideraient en consequence
jls peuvent juger s'il pourra le remplir. jl serait
aussi convenable de prier M Neuville & C.ie d'ecrire
a mr Mante pour donner des renseign.s sur sa vie
privée & Commerciale. enfin faite au mieux s.v.p.

Documentary page 3

English translation

I do not know whether it would suit you to bring Vincent to these gentlemen without further assurance; it is a long way. The Messrs Mante undoubtedly have contacts in Frankfurt and could obtain information about Vincent's character and abilities from Neuville & Co., the firm in which he was trained. They could also have Vincent interviewed about what he knows. You may also ask Madame Koeg for information about his private conduct.

If you think he can come to Lyon, that would not be a very long journey, but if he makes it he should have some prospect of success. Tell me what you believe would be advantageous for your son: whether he is forthcoming and intelligent, works and writes well, and is industrious and diligent. He could do what they require, whether travelling—as I believe they intend—or being sent to England, America or Spain, where they appear to do considerable business. Say that he does not know Spanish, but that English may compensate for it.

It might be best for the Messrs Mante to write to Vincent directly, explain the employment and terms they have in mind, and allow him to consult his present employers. His employers could then advise him and judge whether he could perform the role. It would also be appropriate to ask Neuville & Co. to write to Mr Mante about his private and commercial conduct. In short, please do what seems best.

Documentary page 4

Original transcript

Ecrivez moi
En ecrivant a vincent dites lui que si ces M.rs Mante
l'occupent jls en auraient besoin en Janvier prochain
je vais ecrire a fourel a Paris pour savoir
s'il pourrait le placer.
dites moi si y J'irai avec la Meilleure volonte
je ne sors pas mes amis m'ord. j'en perds l'habitude
depuis que je dois faire [...] a [...] qui est
elle faire une promenade avec Edouard
adieu je v/ embrasse tous donnez moi
des nouvelles de Jean marie
[signature]

Documentary page 4

English translation

Write to me.

When writing to Vincent, tell him that if the Messrs Mante employ him they would need him next January. I am also going to write to Fourel in Paris to ask whether he could place him.

[The final social sentence before the farewell is partly illegible.]

Farewell; I embrace you all. Give me news of Jean Marie.

[signature: monogram]

Discovery Terms

Employment
Family correspondence
Business relations
Travel
Frachon Family Correspondence

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