Misfortune follows him everywhere; it's been a month since he arrived and the state of affairs in the colony is so bad that he hasn't been able to find work. He is considering leaving with some friends who are in the same situation for Port-au-Prince. He has eaten up most of his money in the short time he has been there. He decided to put his remaining funds into trade, worth 80 gourdes. He describes the trade scheme he has undertaken with his friends but the way it is going they will soon be penniless. The good wine of Bordeaux is expensive but so is all the food; he asks his mother to send some flour or salt pork, which is what he really wants. He asks his mother to send him news. In a PS, he gives the address where she can send him letters. A second, undated PS indicates that he has arrived in Port-au-Prince, where he thinks he will have a much easier time making his fortune. This letter is dated using the French Revolutionary style, 13 Germinal 11.