"... vous êtes aujourd'hui animée des mêmes sentiments d'honneur et de patriotisme qui nous ont toujours guidés, nous, les Français libres..."

Autograph letter dated and signed by Charles de Gaulle, addressed to his cook Augustine Bastide, who served him from 1940 to 1958. 29 lines in blue ink on his letterhead.
Fold mark inherent to the envelope, two tears in left and right margins at the fold level.
The general thanks her for her birthday wishes and for her kindness: "... votre lettre et vos voeux d'anniversaire m'ont beaucoup touché et je vous en remercie de tout coeur." and expresses his enthusiasm for the existence of fervent patriots like his correspondent: "... je constate sans aucune surprise et avec réconfort que vous êtes aujourd'hui animée des mêmes sentiments d'honneur et de patriotisme qui nous ont toujours guidés, nous, les Français libres..." and remains confident despite the pessimism that seems to somewhat overtake him: "Les temps sont gris, mais rien n'est perdu. Il n'est que de marcher tout droit."
Moreover, the general concludes his letter on this note of hope and future: "... nous avons maintenant deux petits-fils : Charles et Yves De Gaulle."
The de Gaulles had taken in the recipient of this letter, Augustine Bastide, upon their arrival in London. Of Provençal origin, she served the family from 1940 to 1958 first in Great Britain then in France. At the de Gaulle couple's table in an England severely affected by rationing, one could then find rabbits, periwinkles, and other frogs. The "outspoken Southern woman" would remain in the general's service for nearly twenty years, sometimes provoking hilarity from the stoic head of state:


In 1946, when he had just voluntarily left power, he said to her: "You see Augustine, politics is more disappointing than kitchen work". Then, hands on hips, she retorted: "But general, why don't you decide to hang up your apron for good?" My father couldn't help but laugh
(Philippe de Gaulle, De Gaulle mon père)