He is still alive following a terrible sea voyage during which his vessel lost 200 men. Instead of Charleston, their intended destination, they ended up in Louisiana. He is sick with a months-long fever and is being cared for by a local named Mr. Boisblanc, in Chapitoulas, near New Orleans. He asks his mother and his aunt to send him a few casks of wine to reverse the misfortune that has befallen him, since he has lost everything. He intends to learn to make sugar which could be a useful trade to know in the Windward Islands, where he intends to go once he receives news from his mother. The ship General Wilkinson will be in Bordeaux by which she can send him a few small things on its return voyage. He hopes that his family is now in a better position than they were when he left them and that his aunt will look favorably on his unfortunate position. He also requests some household items that Mr. Boisblanc would like and which he would like to give to his benefactor. In a PS, gives his love to his aunt, siblings, and nephews, and gives his address c/o Mr. Boisblanc in Chapitoulas near New Orleans, Louisiana. A marginal note indicates that wine sells at 80 francs the cask there.