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"Sur les plaisirs du temps partagés dans les larmes, Où, joyeux, les égaux éclaboussent nos ciels, Dans l’amour des futurs où l’infini des mots Se meurt à la passion du temps qu’il reste à vivre. Un instant suffira pour que le corps s’en aille Auprès de troubles dieux gavés de leurs doctrines, Pour que l’âge en sursis devienne un éternel Par devant les mystères de la vie et sa mort " .

Letter, dated March 18, 1836, from Michel Giraud, from his trading post on the Marais des Cygnes River (Kan. and Mo.), to Pierre Chouteau of the Pratte Chouteau fur company in St. Louis, concerning a spring shipment of skins. Giraud advises Chouteau of the number and weight of the deer, muskrat, and buffalo skins he is shipping to St. Louis on Peltier's barge, although it will be necessary to wait until May for favorable river currents. Giraud also mentions he will be sending otter and beaver skins, but is not yet sure of the number that will be available, since not all of the Osage Indian trappers have gone out to check their traps. He discusses payments and accounts, and concludes by offering Chouteau the services of his trading post for the coming year. The letter also names other fur traders, including Milliour, Papin, Sigueste, as well as President Thomas Jefferson. Page [4] of the letter bears the mailing address to "Messrs. Pratte Chouteau & Co., St. Louis, par Peltier," and filing information added by the recipients.