Frederic de Coninck Letters
Translation ProjectFrederic presses demands for overdue outstanding loans; Catherine stays in France in order to settle the inheritance of her mother Rachel Tacquelet; Frederic moves to Schiedam, Holland, to set up a tannery with others; His first born child dies after 3 days; Frederic starts to trade in lace via Jeremie Leblanc in Hamburg; Catherine's excuses for not settling a debt with Frederic Schiedam, Holland
6 August 1687Monsieur Guillaume du Hamel [in Rotterdam]
I received your letter of March 11. I don't doubt that since that time you weren't in a position to satisfy me. It's only for fear that you might forget that I'm writing you again this letter. Please consider this seriously, therefore, and make it your business to put an end to this matter which has gone on long enough to bother me.
I would never have believed that you would have been so long in witholding your promise seeing that it's been more than three years that this matter has been dragging out. Furthermore, to tell you the truth I need money and you would do me much pleasure to let me have the balance of my account that I ask of you. This I will await with impatience. For greater security please address your letter to Mr. Jean Camin, merchant, Rotterdam. He will hold it for me since I see that Mr. Petersen is a man who has never returned. Perhaps this will be better because I admit I that I had my doubts about dealing with him. His behaviour taught me to be more cautious next time.
It's been about two months that I've been in this country where I have been residing in this city of Schiedam. I saw several times Mr. Carbonnel before my departure from London. He said to me that he would not overlook giving the six copies of your book to the bookseller whom I mentioned to you. I would like to be able to be of service to you which I will be most pleased to do since you know that I am always...
29 August 1687 - Received Letter #119 from Mother in Paris. Addressed to Frederic at Medenbliq. Replied 1 September.
My dear son
I see nevertheless that you mentioned there is some hidden motive up till now in my not having returned to you the bills that you requested again and that I'm behaving like Mr. Durand. I assure you that I do nothing untoward, but to put your mind at ease I'm sending them to you attached herewith. I don't have the one about your wife and your holdings nor do I have any other in my possession. Don't worry about it. Things won't go wrong. What I did about it was to put you at ease and in case my actions caused you to worry and no doubt you would have done the same if you were in my place. Therefore I pardon you and pray God with all my heart that He blesses you and that He gives you the virtue that you need. I couldn't be happier than to know that you are well established. May the good Lord by his grace give a happy deliverance to my daughter, your wife, because her time is approaching.
I've been here since 2 August waiting for my brother [Jacob Crommelin] to see what needs to be done with regard to the inheritance from my mother - something that bothers me and which keeps me in this country. I will undoubtedly receive the smallest portion of the inheritance. God give me patience. Your unfortunate brother overwhelms me with sadness. I greet you both affectionately and am your loving mother...
Schiedam, Holland
24 September 1687Mister John Camin [in Rotterdam]
Here is a letter from Mr. Braun that I have just received under the cover of his wife. In it you will see what the said man is doing at Amsterdam and his situation. I recall that you will judge whether his presence means things are going normally. Our merchant from Rotterdam didn't come again.
This morning I paid f200 to monsieur Braux Jr. which leaves me insufficient money to pay Mr. de Coninck from here. Of this I purchased on the day before yesterday 2 barrels of oil on credit for f47. Every barrel contains 124 ftloop. He sold the remainder of what he had to Mr. van Somers of Rotterdam for the same...
price. I also await this week the mariner from Fardam who must take the rest of the deck planking.
Since my wife does nothing but wait for the moment of having her baby, it's awkward for me to leave. This is why I pray that you give brother Oursel some money when he comes here.
The Reverend Mr. Croiset of the Hague wrote me on Monday while returning my shoes. He told me there is a client who would like to have a dozen at half price of calf but since there is some hazard in leaving money in the hands of said Mr. Croiset, I didn't reply.
No doubt you will advise me and Mr. de Rochefort of the way to establish an outlet at the Hague. If I suspect that it won't do poorly, I'll make a trip there for 8 to 10 days. If you give me the orders, I'll send back a lot of Moroccan leather. Don't forget the old barrels for the sumac. We greet you affectionately...
Schiedam, Holland
6 October 1687Madam Caterine Crommelin
The day before yesterday in the morning my wife happily gave birth to a big boy who is doing well, thank God, and the mother also. No doubt, my dear mother, this news will make you glad and please let my older brother know whom I greet affectionately.
The child will be baptised on Sunday. Give him, I pray, your blessing and receive him into the number of your children. I took monsieur de Rochefort to be the godfather and my sister will be the godmother. I hope my wife will be a good wet nurse. It's now more than ever that I need God to bless me and that He causes my plans to succeed.
No doubt you found upon return from Le Havre the letter I wrote you on the first of last month informing you what I was doing there, if it will be successful and...
[The above text is all crossed out. Then it resumes as follows...]
I began to write you my last letter (l'ordre dernier) to give you notice that my wife gave birth on Tuesday last of a boy that had every appearance of the promise of a long life. We had inconceivable joy but, alas, our joy was short-lived because since I began to write you this happy news, and when we had the least worry, God took to Himself our poor little one on the third day of his birth. He had received baptism only a half hour before his death in our house, not having had the time...
to carry him to church, and the day before yesterday I had him buried. Dear mother, you can judge better than I can regarding the sadness you must feel over such a short life. I would never have believed it had I not experienced it myself. Nevertheless may God's will be done in all things. He knows better than we do what is best for us, and we are resigned entirely to what it pleased Him to send our way. Furthermore he was a little creature who is quite happy and consequently far way from the quantity of misery that we are exposed to each day in this miserable world.
You will no doubt have found upon your return to Le Havre the letter that I believe I wrote you on the first of last month in which I informed you what I was doing here. I still don't know what success I'll have, but I remain hopeful that through a modest living I'll be able to meet my expenses.
I also mentioned that I have begun to buy lace. Until now I have few helpers but I hope that the number will increase. I humbly pray that you send me 7 or 8 patterns of the newest style that cost between 30F and 2 livre. I need them urgently. Send the bill, please, of what it cost you to the address of Mr. Camin. Please don't forget to include the invoices and if it can all be sent in one letter, please send it by post, otherwise send it by the first vessel.
I'm pleased to learn that your fishing vessel came back reasonably well loaded at a time when fishing isn't too good and that the oils are expensive. Now I will await more than ever the effect of your promises. I don't doubt that you will accomplish them as soon as possible since you know how much I need it. God willing it will happen soon.
My wife is doing well enough considering the circumstances of our affliction. We greet you and the family very affectionately. I pray God everyday that He preserves you and that He might bring an end to the persecution. I am...
Schiedam, Holland
21 October 1687Monsieur Daniel Crommelin [at Greenway Court, Kent, England]
It is with just reason that you will complain about my not having written you in such a long time. It would seem this is the least I could do considering the kindness you showed me after my extended visit at your place. On the other hand, if you reflect for a moment...
on my situation you will readily pardon my negligence because since I left you I haven't stopped trying to set things up. It's been about three months since I retreated to this small city a good league distant from Rotterdam. About 3 or 4 of us are setting up a tannery of which I am the superintendent. As this is again new to me, I cannot say what duration or success it will have. I foresee that it will be necessary to live with quite some uncertainty. I can't help regretting from time to time my life in the country. You know that it did not hold me sufficiently to settle there and if the times had been a bit better I would never have dreamed of going away from you. I still wouldn't hesitate someday to be your neighbor if things change. I was happy to learn that the harvest has been abundant throughout all of England. I don't doubt that you did very well if the wheat is worth 4 shillings. This I hope with all my heart.
For one who is from West Frijsland it may appear to be a land of plenty, but in my opinion it's the most inhospitable place in the world. He doesn't believe that wheat or rye can grow higher than the top of one's knees! I'm not surprised because the land there can only be better managed through the use of cutting blades. Besides that it is a country made desert being subject to high winds that carry away half of the earth's productivity like it was when I was there. Therefore a man who thinks he has sown his land is quite often fooled. There are about 20 or 30 French families there of which some are preparing to leave. Some are trying to plant tobacco but I don't think they'll succeed.
I saw my aunt Jacob [Elisabeth Testart] while passing through Amsterdam. She is residing with Mr. Crecut in a beautiful house and is always accompanied by the said monsieur. To say whether she's fortunate, I don't dare give you that assurance. I also saw Mr. Desormeaux who is the happiest man in the world. He lives on an f800 pension in Haarlem which he took the trouble to obtain in another country.
My wife delivered on the 30th of last month a baby boy who God took back on the third day of his birth. She is doing well enough herself, thank God, and humbly greets you and my aunt [Ann Testart] also. Please convey my humble respects to messieurs Culpeper, Mr. le Capre, the house of Mr. le Chevalier, Mr. and Mademoiselle Rondeau and to yourself to whom I am infinitely grateful. Thank you also for taking the trouble to arrange shipment of our clothes. I ardently hope that the occasion will arise when I may be able to be of service to you. Then you will know better how much I am...
Schiedam, Holland
21 October 1687Monsieur Jean Durand [in London]
I haven't heard from you as though you were no longer in the world. This doesn't match the solemn promises you made me when I was still in London. Then you asked me for a delay until the end of April. Well, six months have passed since then without your providing any satisfaction.
Really, monsieur, your conduct is unfair and causes me to lose patience. It causes me such sorrow that there are times when I regret the hour that I first knew you. You must not find this strange because when one loses his resources he loses his life's blood. Especially, monsieur, at a time when everyone desperately needs what belongs to him.
You delivered the cruellest blow in the world when I believed you to be my best friend. You kept my goods under the pretense of the friendship and confidence that I have in you. But let's put these nasty thoughts behind us. Let's rather try to reestablish our former friendship. For this to take effect, please do me one last favor. Do not ply me with more beautiful words or vain hopes. Just pay my brother [Jean de Coninck, in London] as soon as possible and he will soon hand it over to me. The receipt that he will give you will be as good and valid as if it had come from me.
I await with impatience the outcome of what I ask of you. If it happens, rest assured that I will be pleased to return you service should the occasion present itself. While waiting I wish you well in realizing your just ambitions. I am...
Schiedam, Holland
21 October 1687Monsieur Jean de Coninck [in London]
It's been too long since we've written each other and it's only right to break such a long silence. With regards to myself, if I haven't written you more often this was only to spare you the cost of postage for I was always curious to know how you were getting along. Now that Mr. le Febure is about to return [to England] I won't allow him to leave without promising to inform you how I've been spending my time.
First of all, I've been here since July 8 where Messieurs Camin, de Rochefort and I have set up a tannery of which I'm serving as the superintendent. I still can't say what longevity or success this will have but I foresee the need to live frugally and conservatively. I have also begun to buy some lace...
but I have so few workers that it's hardly worth mentioning. With regards to yourself I don't think that you're as idle as I am and I don't doubt that you're passing your time more agreeably. Anyway, that's what I hope with all my heart. I would be most pleased to learn that your plans have been successful.
Enclosed are two letters. Please forward one to my uncle at Greenway Court, and please deliver the other to Mr. Durand personally and obtain from him knowledge of what he intends to do. I haven't heard a thing from him in any way. He owes me 31:10 pounds. If you could extract from him the full amount you would do me a great favour and put me in your debt. However, if he can't pay you everything at once, please get as much as you can. This would be a consolation. I told him that he won't have to worry about paying you because if he wants a receipt, the one that you will give him will be as valid as though it came from me. I wouldn't be happier than to have this thief come to reason.
My wife greets you affectionately. She delivered on the 30th of last month a baby boy whom God withdrew to Himself on the 3rd day of his birth. You can imagine her anguish and the sadness this caused us. Please greet all our relatives and friends, especially our cousin de la Chambre and his wife. I don't know what has become of the older cousin Daniel. Please let me know if I can be of any service to you in this country. Rest assured I'll do whatever I can without reservation...
Schiedam, Holland
24 October 1687Monsieur Guillaume du Hamel [at Rotterdam]
I well received your letter of 2 August with remittance of f70 to my account on Mr. de Carbonnel of Amsterdam which was a little overdue. This is partly why I delayed in replying to you. Besides, I had some matters that prevented me from doing that. Therefore I believe you'll excuse me. I believe our account is now balanced by this sum. I appreciate the good wishes that you extend to me. I pray God that He also causes your plans to succeed and blesses your business.
Three or four of us are in the process of setting up a tannery in which I am a partner. Since this is a new venture, I still can't say what success we might have. I will also do a little trading in lace but since there is no demand here I wrote to Mr. Leblanc to see if there might be any in your neighborhoods.
My wife greets you affectionately. She thanks you for remembering her. She delivered on the 30th of last month a boy who God took back to Himself after only 3 days. Please let me know if I can be of any service to you as I will always do it with pleasure.
Schiedam, Holland
24 October 1687Monsieur Jeremie Le Blanc [in Hamburg]
Although it's been a long time since I had the honour to write you, I believe nevertheless that my silence has caused no change in our former friendship which was quite solid.
[Above crossed out...] I would be pleased if we could conduct a little trade together and at the same time maintain our former friendship. In particular there are several lacemakers in Dieppe whose products I have begun to buy. But since there is no demand in this country, I pray you to let me know if there is any demand in your neighborhood. If your response is favorable I'll send you some in a box to begin with.
Please also let me know if there is anything to be done with lace from Malines and Flanders, and also the sizes and quality that are in demand in your area. Please give me an idea of their proportions.
I hope with all my heart to be able to be of some use to you in some way but what bothers me is that there is almost no commerce being done in this city. If there is, it's only with a great deal of trouble.
I take the liberty to humbly present my services to madamoiselle, your wife, and to monsieur, your brother. I am...
Schiedam, Holland
3 November 1687Madam Caterine Crommelin
The first letter from my sister Manon put me in such a great deal of worry that I can hardly express it, but her second one, on the contrary, has given me joy since I see that you are feeling a lot better now. Praise God. I pray with all my heart that He makes you well and restores you again to perfect health and at the same time causes your plans to succeed.
With regard to Mr. Oursel's proposition. I'll show it to all those whom he wishes. I only pray that it will give me a complete and just settlement and not have to be mentioned a second time. The one who pauses isn't at such a risk or meritous as the one who can say that he will benefit from the matter. That's why I implore you that he puts an end to it entirely [a loan made to Robert Oursel, Catherine's second husband, made from Frederic's inheritance money] so that I won't have to mention it again.
Even if you wished that I become a joint owner of the "Jardin" [their rental property at Rouen] it would be 3 or 4 years before I could receive anything from it and my portion would be small according to the one who is acting as the executor. Consequently it would put me at a great risk. I am in agreement with brother...
Oursel [Robert Oursel Jr.] that his father [Catherine's second husband] will have the kindness to send the balance of my account in a letter of exchange which he will send to me at his order. He will also send him a receipt of what you know must be returned to me. When he has it in hand, he will give it to me and I will return to him the executor's portion since he asked me for it. I believe this expedient is the shortest and most secure and I pray that it be done as soon as you approve. As for me, I have no problem with it. God willing it will be so since I wait impatiently every day. I greet you affectionately and am...
Schiedam, Holland
20 November 1687Monsieur Jeremie Leblanc [in Hamburg]
I received with pleasure your obliging letter of the 25th of last month on which I have sent you via Rotterdam a box of lace from Dieppe to sell on my behalf. In this shipment is an itemized list and invoice that you will be able to use to mark up for the purposes of sale. If a reasonable profit can be made, it will encourage me to send you larger quantities in future. Even if there is a modest demand that will satisfy me a lot. That's why I ask that you do whatever you can.
No. 58 is a piece in particular that is difficult to forecast. If it happens to sell well, and if you wish, I will send some more to you of various lengths. With regards to other patterns that strike me, I will be able to send you some pieces as samples or by Mr. Envoy. With regard to the lace from Malines, since it would be necessary to go myself to the various places, I'll travel there as soon as it's possible for me to do so. I won't hesitate to go someday in person to renew our former acquaintance and friendship but I can't say when I'll have that opportunity. However, this does not prevent me from always saying wholeheartedly...
Schiedam, Holland
18 November 1687Monsieur Jean de la Chambre [in London]
I duly received your letter of June 21 by which you promised to send me the balance of my account which I still haven't received up to the present time. Since that time I have found other uses for the remainder of the money that you still have in hand. This is why I wish to have it here.
Please, therefore, do it via a letter of credit favoring Mr. Jean Camin. He must withdraw from you for my account the...
bill of f250 after which it will please you to send me a summary of my account with the interest that you promised to pay so that afterwards I can deposit the exact balance outstanding.
Perhaps you will have learned that we have been residing in this city since about 4 1/2 months ago. Three or four of us have decided to set up a tannery which I believe will be better than working the land. I have also begun a small business in trading lace. My wife delivered on September 30 a baby boy that God withdrew to Himself after 3 days. She greets you affectionately as well as my cousin, your wife, as I do too...
26 November 1687 - Received Letter #120 from Mother in Rouen. Replied 4 December.
Rouen
November 13, 1687My dear son
I have yours of the 3rd that was forwarded to me from Le Havre. I wasn't sure if I could return well enough sooner than Thursday because of the illness that it pleased God to afflict me with. Thus I didn't think I could return before next week.
As for the proposition you made me, my dear son, you not consider that the document that you have is of absolute necessity here. I must have it because this document covers me in the hands of Rondiere. He's the one who's taking inventory of the goods of all the Protestants who have left the kingdom. Since this is the only document dated a day or two before your departure, by showing this document to Rondiere he'll have nothing to say. Otherwise we'll be charged twice. See to it therefore and send it soonest via a ship's officer and send it to Jean le Bailly. In giving him some money he will send it over. Don't cause any difficulty over this. It will then be given to Mr. Oursel. Your title document will also be returned to you. Don't have any hesitation. Mr. Oursel has no ill feelings toward you. You say you want to be paid in full and that the balance isn't that big, which is true. This will come in due time. We don't have as much as you think we do because all our money has to go toward preparing our vessel to go out again. What's left is small, leaving us hardly anything to get by on. Furthermore my illness caused nothing but grief. I wasn't able to get better, having nothing to carry on with and unable to satisfy you at the same time.
As for your request, I'll send them to you as soon as I'm able. Don't talk to Mr. Oursel about it. It will be necessary to take the opportunity when some skipper will pass through Le Havre.
Two days ago I went beyond the bridge. April's lease runs out next Easter. [April was the tenant renting a cottage from Catherine. In lieu of paying rent she may have become the proprietor of several other rental units around the 'Jardin' belonging to Catherine.] She wants to leave. Cottages are now renting for only 100 livre per year which leaves hardly anything for repairs. You know there's nothing left of the gate between the Jardin and the courtyard. I had to have it fixed just last year. Another grill has to be made and some carpentry must be done above the door. Besides that I have expenses in support of a lawsuit that a scoundrel did to me. Thus the money is gone and all my income is lost. There's nothing left. Mr. Oursel and I had to make several trips with regard to that. Therefore you must have a little patience and wait a while longer.
It's the miserable Jardin [the rental property across the bridge outside Rouen called 'La Pareille' in family letters] which I fear exposes you with regard to Roudiere because everyone knows you have an interest in the property. This is why you must not find it wrong that I must have the writ of execution. So do as I say.
There are 40 Jardins to rent beyond the bridge and in the city one can choose a house for 400 livres. Some you can get for 200#. They want to take it away from us by force and a little while ago published the names of those arrested for aiding in our evasion. That won't stop us. Everyone is pulling out and abandoning all their funds. May God have pity on us by his bounteous grace and mercy.
I hope that my girl, your wife, is well again after giving birth. May God bless and keep you by his bounteous grace. Manon will write her when she sends the patterns. I greet you both affectionately and am your very loving mother...
PS - Your sisters Manon and Rachel send their regards. Your brother Francois does not know or offers to be tested. Monsieur the boss promised him a job but he was late. This boy is miserable! He leaves his resources until he comes to his last penny. Without heart and courage he comes to the place where he has nothing of value. He should take something outside. He found some friends who offered him a job on a ship. If he doesn't find work he's going to Paris to stay with one of our friends who doesn't mind having him.
Schiedam, Holland
4 December 1687Madam Caterine Crommelin
I received your letter of November 13 so I'm a bit late in responding. I must say that I had no bigger joy than when I received the news about yourself. But also I must admit that if our account never gets settled I'll have to go on hearing about this cursed matter which will cause me to lose hope. Never has a minor been treated more cruelly than I have. One always finds some imaginary difficulties to the things of the world that cannot be more just and clear which sometimes give me the idea that perhaps they aren't. In God's name put an end to this matter as soon as possible so we won't have to mention it again.
Allow me to say that you didn't reflect on what I proposed in my previous letter because brother Robert knows all the masters of the ships and can send back more quickly and easily the document that you request regarding my no longer living at these places. He promised me that he would write to his father about this in order to satisfy him. If Mr. Oursel doesn't find the letter of change, he can send money in cash. A small roll of gold doesn't take up much space, but above all don't forget my receipt. I continue to pray that he won't have to pay a second time.
The place isn't worth the trouble, and in God's name may it lead to my satisfaction in having you live here with my sisters. I would hand over to you my lace business that I think can be quite good. I believe that I'll have to leave it regretfully because I have so little to put into our company [the tannery]. Nevertheless I'll continue until I get some resolution regarding the above matters. While awaiting I will pray to God for you and am...
