Correspondence from Southern Patagonia

Punta Arenas?
Note from María Teresa de Menéndez to Ángela Díaz, c1936

The writer was the wife of a member of the wealthy Menéndez family, owners of lands and ranches in Patagonia. The recipient was the wife of Cándido Alonso, the manager at Estancia Laurita. This short note is written in a friendly, infomal tone: along with her request, the writer displays a sincere concern for the employee family's welfare.

Transcription & Translation

Estimada Señora
Le envio algunas cositas que espero le agraden
el agua para los dientes calma el dolor por eso pensé enviarsela
Con los mismos cajones que mando las plantas de frutillas mandeme plantas de pensamiento las mas que pueda allá de todas maneras hay muchas ojala pudieran mandar unas 100 plantas
La lana no he podido encontrar otro color espero que le gustará.
Digale a su marido que plante bien las frutillas y las riegue bien para que prendan.
La saluda cariñosamente
T. Menendez

Dear Madam
I am sending you some little things which I hope will please you.
The teething water sooths the pain, that is why I thought of sending it to you.
Use the same boxes that I am sending with strawberry plants to send me as many pansy plants as possible; in any case, there are lots there; hopefully you will be able to send around 100 plants.
I have not been able to obtain a different colour of wool; I hope you will like [the one I´m sending you].
Tell your husband to plant the strawberries carefully and water them well, so they take root.
Kind regards
T. Menendez

Correspondence from Southern Patagonia