The Biography of Gabriel de Clieu
Gabriel de Clieu was born in a small town called Angléqueville-sur-Saane in Normandy, France, around 1686 or 1688. He had an interesting life. He grew up in Normandy and later joined the French military. Throughout his life, he experienced many important and memorable events:
- 1705: He began his naval career as a Sub-Lieutenant.
- 1718: Honored with the title of Knight of the Order of St. Louis, a proud milestone.
- 1720: Promoted to the position of Infantry Captain.
- 1726: Achieved the rank of Infantry Major.
- 1733: Became a Naval Lieutenant.
- 1737: Appointed Governor of Guadeloupe.
- 1746: Elevated to Naval Captain.
- 1750: Awarded the honorary command of the Order of St. Louis.
- 1752: Retired.
- 1753: Returned to naval service.
- 1760: Retired one more time.
In 1746, at the French court, Gabriel de Clieu met Louis XV. The Minister of the Navy, Rouillé de Jour, introduced him to the King as an:
Excellent officer to whom both the colony and France, and the trade in general, owed gratitude for the cultivation of coffee.
When he died in November 1774, two important newspapers in France wrote about it. These newspapers were the Gazette de France and the Mercure de France. This rare occurrence sparked widespread praise for his career and contributions.
The Mercure de France, in announcing Gabriel d’Erchigny de Clieu’s death, praised him:
Gabriel d'Erchigny de Clieu, former Captain and Honorary Commander of Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, died in Paris on November 30, at the age of 88.
The French Quest for Coffee
In the early 1700s, the Dutch had been cultivating coffee across their colonies. From Sumatra, Celebes, Timor, and Bali to other islands. So the French were eager to establish coffee cultivation in their own colonies.
After many hurdles, they finally received a healthy young coffee plant from the Dutch mayor in 1714. This Typica coffee plant of Coffea Arabica, was sourced from Java. It was promptly brought to the Royal Gardens – Jardin des Plantes – in Paris. There, the royal botanist Antoine de Jussieu take good care of it.
However, the journey took work for the French. They failed twice in their attempts to bring seedlings from this gifted coffee plant to the Antilles (in the Caribbean).
Then, a young Norman gentleman took on this challenge for the third time. He was determined and persevering. His story became one of the most romantic chapter in the history of coffee cultivation.
Gabriel de Clieu’s Coffee Mission
Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu was a French navy officer based in Martinique (a French colony in the Caribbean). Once, when he visited France, he heard about the aspirations to spread coffee seeds across the French colonies. De Clieu thought this was a good idea to bring a coffee plant to Martinique on his return voyage.
The First Challenge
The journey of de Clieu began with a challenge: acquiring the coffee plant from the Royal Gardens in Paris. An influential lady helped de Clieu with his request. Thanks to her, Royal Physician M. de Chirac finally agreed to give de Clieu the healthiest coffee plants.
The exact year of his departure to Martinique could be 1720 or 1723. However, many historical records suggest that 1723 is the most reliable. But notice the detail that Dr. de Chirac gave him “plants”? In a letter sent to the Année Littéraire journal in 1774, Gabriel Mathieu de Clieu wrote that he took along “a plant.”
He did not mention making any other trips. Therefore, he might have undertaken this challenge twice in 1720 and 1723.
Facing Jealousy
De Clieu departed from Nantes in 1723 on the ship named Le Dromadaire (the Dromedary). He took a coffee plant, placed it in a glass box to utilize sunlight, and kept it warm on cloudy days. De Clieu faced challenges from jealous fellow travelers who tried to hinder him. Yet, he remained watchful and resolute, safeguarding the coffee plant throughout the journey.
It is useless to recount in detail the infinite care that I was obliged to bestow upon this delicate plant during a long voyage and the difficulties. I had saving it from the hands of a man, who basely jealous of the joy I was about to taste through being of service to my country, and unable to get this coffee plant away from me, he tore off a branch.
CHALLENGES OF THE OCEAN
Long sea voyages on sailing ships in that period were always dangerous.
Pirates
You might immediately think of “Caribbean pirates,” right? However, they did encounter pirates, but they were from Tunis, also known as Barbary or Ottoman pirates. These pirates predation extended across the Mediterranean and down the Atlantic coast of West Africa. Gabriel de Clieu’s ship encountered this group off Madeira (Portugal).
They were “lucky” to quickly escape this threat. Because Le Dromadaire was not a typical merchant ship but a Portefaix Class warship with 44 cannons and over 100 crew members.
Sea Storms
As the ship neared Martinique, a fierce storm pushed it into the jagged reefs. Water flooded into the ship, and they ran aground on the reef. However, such difficulties weren’t enough to dishearten those daring souls of the “Age of Discovery.”
The crew quickly patched the breach and repaired the ship. Flûte Le Dromadaire was once again ready to set sail. But the nightmare for the seafarers had just begun.
Thirst
To free the ship from the reefs, they had to wait for the highest tide and try to float it by discarding heavy items onboard. The crew threw many non-essential goods overboard, but this action didn’t lighten the ship enough. Thus, the captain made a highly risky decision to discard something indispensable for survival – FRESH WATER. The ship successfully got off the reefs, but the nightmare began.
Lack of wind and weak currents caused the ship to take much longer to reach Martinique. The water shortage persisted for over a month; de Clieu recalled they had to ration water minimally to survive.
But de Clieu had another precious thing to protect, the feeble coffee plant. He had to share his own water ration to keep the coffee plant alive, as it was his hope and joy.
The Rewards of Perseverance and Determination
Perhaps the sea had tested de Clieu enough; he finally reached the port of Saint-Pierre alive, and so was the coffee plant. He took the plant to his estate in Prêcheur, planting it in the most favorable spot. He couldn’t take his eyes off it; after all the ordeals they faced together, losing it would be his greatest fear.
Finally, he fenced it with barbed wire and assigned his most trusted aides to guard it day and night until it matured. Under de Clieu’s care, the once feeble Typica coffee plant thrived rapidly and robustly.
1726, the plant made its first crop. And then, most coffee trees on the island were planted from its seeds. By 1777, there were 18,791,680 coffee plants in Martinique.
The Destined Replacement
Previously, cacao was the main crop providing income for the people. However, a significant event in 1727, a massive earthquake, nearly wiped out all the cacao plantations in Martinique.
Cocoa trees are not easy to rejuvenate. So the people of Martinique had to rely on coffee, the only promising substitute. Martinique’s tropical monsoon climate fostered exceptional coffee growth. And it fulfilled its role astoundingly; just the coffee yield from Martinique alone was enough for all of France.
Remembering a Legend
In his own words, Gabriel de Clieu found joy in seeing his humble coffee plant turn Martinique into a coffee empire. From Normandy to the New World, his dedication left an indelible mark in the history of coffee. Remember him with every cup of coffee you enjoy, celebrating the legacy of a visionary and selfless individual. Thank you for listening to my rather lengthy story.
