From — de Reine
ALS: American Philosophical Society
<Versailles, May 1, 1778, in French: My old friend Brisson will
look over my letter before forwarding it. Enclosed are some
nabob or fine rice and a hundred beans from the Cape of Good
Hope, the best legume of their kind. [Detailed instructions follow
for planting the rice and beans, then a discussion of
pounding coffee in a mortar instead of grinding it, next an explanation
of how to cook the rice and make bread out of it.
The final section, apparently drawn from a letter to Sartine in
February, deals with mitigating the effects of gun smoke during
naval battle: strong liquor is dangerous to the sailors and
marines, and the best refreshment is sweetened coffee laced
with brandy. This drink builds courage, clears the mind, gives
maximum strength, whips up the blood, and does away with
scurvy.] Experience has taught me. In my times in the Indies I
used to breakfast with my white men on a bowl of strong coffee
with rice, sugar, a bottle or two of brandy depending on
the number of people, and when possible one or two dozen
egg yolks well beaten. With this start I could roam the woods
all day in search of runaway slaves, and no one was hungry or
thirsty.>
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