of 18 June 1901
4941
transcription: (1 franc of the time is worth 20 francs from 1995)
" Paris, June 18, 1901.
Dear Mr. Hausermann,
Depending on the availability of credits from our Sidi-Abdallah account, we authorize you to take into account this account, in addition to the 10,000F you have already received, a sum of 15,000F down payment on the share of profits from the Sidi-Abdallah yard, which we are happy to grant you.
We also want to pay an amount of 8000F to be distributed among the main collaborators who assisted you in Sidi-Abdallah.
We submit the following distribution, asking you to give us your opinion and names before distributing:
Paolo (dragage) 3,000F
François (careers) 2,000F
to be distributed (Antoine Paolo, cap.nes tow., .....(??), dredges etc... 3.000 F
As soon as you have notified us and you can proceed with the distribution, you will carry in the accounts of Sidi-Abdallah: "given to Mr. Jean Hersent 23.000F" and you will send us in Paris the various receipts of the gratuities awarded, worded in the following form: "received from Mr.Jean Hersent on behalf of the company Hersent et fils the sum of .... as gratuity of the works of Sidi-Abdallah"
I'm telling you this form, so that the detail doesn't go through accounting, which could create jealousy in the various services.
We believe that these rewards you have earned will encourage you to complete Sidi-Abdallah's work economically and bring to a successful conclusion those of Bizerte, in order to give us the satisfaction of being able to reward you again.
Your lovingly devoted good
H.Hersent and his sons
Signed:
H Hersent "