7501
Jean Hausermann (in Buenos Aires) to his sisters, 21 December 1945
Buenos Aires, 21 December 1945
My dearest possessions,
These lines will come to you for the new year. We all meet together to bring you our best affections and our best wishes, as well as for all those around you. It is not my belief that I am very optimistic that the worst has passed and that the better days come. There are obviously irreparable things, but the past will count .... "El tiempo sigue su marcha" decimos aca y parece mucha verdad. All the young people around us seem very valiant and are entitled to our congratulations. And warm congratulations on the wedding of little Brigitte....
.................................... We have received your two letters of 27/10 which have made us very pleased. Finally, your 13/12m's cable reassured on the account of this suitcase I thought was lost or emptied. I hope you'll enjoy it. However, I have not yet received the letters announced by the said cable.
What you say about the old house is very sorry. I don't see how all this can be restored, refurbished and maintained as a leisure home, or even a semi-industrialisation by one of us. It is one of my great concerns, and God knows if I do not miss it, that that of the equitable distribution of the property of our dear parents among us three, as a result of the disproportion of Vierville vis à vis the rest. Perhaps part of the land could be divided? how did you enter the costs of restoration that you did, so that the other two thirds were intact. I would like the notary to write down his opinion, and I am missing all the information that could help me to make an opinion. I know that my coming is absolutely necessary to carry out the sharing and that the inventory can only be done properly at this time, but it is not possible to leave now with the cases that are being dealt with at this moment and in the midst of the difficulties that the country of Argentina is going through. (Hersent) is waiting here, and I have to wait too. At the moment, I'm going to France for your summer (1946) (We already have ours, for I am writing you with my own heart) but there is nothing agreed.
..... ..the summer was very hot. I sent my people to the Riachuelo for a few days, and here they are to spend the holidays with me. I feel tired and may take a few days off to the lakes of the South; I need them because I have provided intense work and the difficulties have not been missed. (Peron's dictatorship), there are roots of totalitarianism that are scary... as if nothing had happened in Europe and the world....
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Jean Cordelle (in Paris) to Jean Hausermann (in Buenos Aires) a letter sent on 23 February 1946.
................................ with regard to Vierville we have gradually repaired as the possibilities are very thin. After reviewing the roof, made habitable the small rooms above the kitchen, we are currently closing the grasses in order to be able to rent them normally.
The claims for compensation are made in large part. Fortunately, there is no war damage that the roof (already repaired) and turret. All the rest, domestic damage and damage to the land (except mined lands) are due to the American occupation and we hope that the compensation will come faster. All proceeds and expenses of the estate are kept in order and with independent bank account and cash....
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Jean Hausermann (in Buenos Aires) at Simone Cordelle, 12 April 1946
Buenos Aires, 12 April 1946
My dear sister,
I received your letter of April 2, also reached in record time since it was in my hands on the 8. The small pictures were admired. There is very little left to get to know the new figures permanently.
I'm telling you about our travel plans that have been defined. After many difficulties and in order not to delay our return from a time that it became impossible to appreciate, I accepted a cabin of 4 beds (second, but which still has to be paid as first) on the steam "Jamaica" which is expected here on 26. Departure around May 8 except strikes of course, and there is. I will make you cable or I will do it myself on the day of departure. Arrival by Le Havre. Expect to see us arrive around the beginning of June, and I hope that the owner will not return, which will allow me to live at mommy and not too much burden you. Germaine and the children will follow soon enough on Lyon, while I will go to Vierville and have spoken to Gilbert.........
.....I am indeed determined to come back here, in one way or another, but you are mistaken, little sister, if you think it is "forsaken from France", as you say.
See you very soon, therefore, the great pleasure of seeing you all after these 7 years of extraordinary events, and no longer finding my dear mother pains me infinitely. I kiss you very affectionately.
Jean
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Jean Hausermann (in Buenos Aires) at Jean Cordelle, 26 April 1946
Buenos Aires, 26 April 1946
My dear Jean,
I acknowledge receipt of your note of the 18th, arrived on the 23rd. We have received also the letter of Simon of the 12th and that of Francis of the 16th, of the same month. Thank you for all this. We will try to satisfy you, within the limits of possible, but for the cameras I believe that you must mourn it, it is absolutely forbidden, I will say that it is not tolerated. We will need tolerance for more useful things and for all the futility we take.
Jamaica is announced for the 30th here; already 3 days late on its schedule.
As for the solidarity tax, you have done well to file the 6000F, although it was not absolutely necessary. As regards the declaration and listing of my property, I have visited the Consulate of B Aires which gave me the necessary information: having a special certificate of residence abroad, issued by them, I will make my declaration myself during my stay in France. Here we must wait for the arrival of the forms and from this date 3 months frank to carry out. The deadline of 15 May therefore does not run for the French from abroad.
One question: We come through Le Havre. We should take tickets directly to Lyon, since there are luggage for this city. This from the point of view of transfer to Paris, between stationset av. de Lamballe; and then of the safety of the said luggage, especially food.
Simon didn't answer for the Riachuelo business?
We kiss you very affectionately, John.
(PS) I'm glad that the 9Kg box at Harrods, which I randomly raced in this establishment, has arrived. You see I'm thinking about you and your stomach.
My messenger from the "Katiola" was out of order in Pernambuk, and I'm afraid it's too late for Grandjean's business.
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Jean Cordelle (in Paris) to Jean Hausermann (in Buenos Aires) a letter sent on 4 May 1946.
My dear Jean,
We received your letter of April 26th, which tells us that you will be coming back. I telegraphed you yesterday, after receiving your letter of March 20th. Thank you for taking care of all this, but do not worry if you miss time to do what is requested. We realize that you have a lot to do these days.
About your Le Havre – Lyon tickets, it is certainly simpler and more economical to take direct tickets, but there is the risk of safe luggage, the less we abandon them, the better.
I hope that the day you arrive is well known to go to Le Havre, it would make things easier for you. You ask in the letter to Suzon if we kept our cars, Georges sold his last year (a funny idea between us and he bitterly regrets). I still have mine, and I use it to go to the Calvados yards, and incidentally to Vierville. If I can extend my permission to travel at the Seine-Inferior (former name of Seine-Maritime Department)And if I have gas, I'll go with it in Le Havre.
(These permits to move were not to exist in the first months after the liberation of Paris in 45, but for gasoline, the sale was not free either in 45 or 46, so it was necessary to manage, either to give a reason accepted, or to give the system D)
Do you see the possibility during your stay in France to give instructions on Grandjean's affairs?
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