My wife's health, still as upsetting and as disturbing as always, has prevented me from leaving her for a moment, since the last time I had the honor of seeing you. I have also not been able to carry out your errand for M. the Marquis de Mirabaud.

But M. Coder and M. Du Parc my associate and backer, are here day and night, and I can assure you that your order will be as well done as possible. Despite the rise in cost of cloth lately, we hope not to come up short; and we plan to definitely refuse the ticking that you were offered for 300 waistcoats and breeches, which would not be durable enough; everything will be done in good-quality cloth. If they can't all be done with the same fabric, we will take care to use the strongest for heavy coats and the thinnest for waistcoats. As for the heavy coats, without adding or subtracting fullness, nor putting in more or less material, we will give them a little more roundness, which will make them more useful. I would add that, although it is not the principal goal, this will also make them more attractive.

You will be pleased with the spatterdashes, as well as the cartridge-boxes; at least, I am proud of them, and we have spared nothing. There remain only the caps or helmets with which I am not completely content, and where we are truly in a quandary. However we are not discouraged, and hope to finish them to the satisfaction of everyone.

As for the rifles which had to do with M. Dalibard, I have not yet been able to clear up the matter, for lack of being able to come and go; but I assure you that it will not take much longer, and each rifle will be at least 3 livres less than the price that M. Dalibard had quoted you. I am trying to get it for still less. I have the honor of being, with a tender and respectful attachment, Monsieur and dear Friend, Your very humble and obedient servant