GUYANA - CAYENNE. - Lot 119

GUYANA - CAYENNE. RICHERIE (Louis Eugène Gaultier de la). 1820-1886. Military, governor of New Caledonia (1870-1874). L.A.S. "E G de la Richerie" to "Amiral" [Vice-Admiral Saisset?]. Cayenne, December 17, 1855. 4 pp. in-8. Scratches. Reinforcement of a fold. He wishes to express all his gratitude for his ...kindnesses, the effect of which is being realized at this moment... and assures him that he will bring all his devotion and efforts...to the success of the immense work entrusted to you...He will soon be made ...aware of the situation, which is far from hopeless. After your departure there was a moment of panic at the Shire: there was talk of nothing less than evacuating everything. Today, courage has been summoned and work is starting to get underway. Dupuy & M. Mélinon are leaving the day after tomorrow to reconnoitre the mountains around Ste Marie on the interior side. The County road continues, but I find it all very slow. Think of recruiting Penitentiary Commanders if you can: the current ones are not first-rate. I had a Caire (commissioner?) in the Equipment Office, but he was withdrawn just as he was starting to get up to speed. LOrdonnateur doesn't know what he wants: he's still working on the Organic Ordinance governing Penitentiaries. You may not believe it, Admiral, but (...) the payment of the Libérés has not yet been completed. (...) Now, I only need a few people around me to follow the movements of the machine & even direct it in the direction you will have indicated...He sends him his best wishes ...for your happiness & that of your family....and wishes him, above all, a return to good health...stay in France a month or two longer, before returning to take up a command which, if not as brilliant as those of the Black Sea & Baltic, has all the difficulties, vicissitudes & dangers...The Guiana penal colony was made up of several camps and penitentiaries. One of these, La Comté (1854-1859), was devoted to logging.