{"title":"New York","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"1789-french-naval-letter-from-new-york-concerning-the-frigate-la-belle-poule-virginia-shipwreck-comte-de-grasse-yorktown","title":"1789 French Naval Letter from New York Concerning the Frigate La Belle Poule – Virginia Shipwreck – Comte de Grasse – Yorktown","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"19\" data-end=\"282\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"19\" data-end=\"118\"\u003eFrench Autograph Letter Signed (ALS) Regarding the Wreck of the French Warship \u003cem data-start=\"100\" data-end=\"116\"\u003eLa Belle Poule\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"118\" data-end=\"121\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"121\" data-end=\"130\"\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong data-start=\"131\" data-end=\"158\"\u003eNew York, June 12, 1789\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"158\" data-end=\"161\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"161\" data-end=\"179\"\u003ePlace Written:\u003c\/strong\u003e New York City\u003cbr data-start=\"193\" data-end=\"196\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"196\" data-end=\"209\"\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/strong\u003e French\u003cbr data-start=\"216\" data-end=\"219\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"219\" data-end=\"230\"\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 1½ pages (plus integral address leaf)\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"284\" data-end=\"506\"\u003eThis is an important French-language manuscript written in New York shortly after the American Revolution concerning the French naval frigate \u003cstrong data-start=\"426\" data-end=\"444\"\u003eLa Belle Poule\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the most celebrated vessels of the French Royal Navy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"508\" data-end=\"752\"\u003eThe letter is addressed simply to \u003cstrong data-start=\"542\" data-end=\"556\"\u003e\"Monsieur\"\u003c\/strong\u003e and appeals to a senior French official for assistance in recovering cargo from the frigate \u003cem data-start=\"649\" data-end=\"669\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"650\" data-end=\"668\"\u003eLa Belle Poule\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e, which had run aground on the coast of \u003cstrong data-start=\"709\" data-end=\"721\"\u003eVirginia\u003c\/strong\u003e during the previous September.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"754\" data-end=\"787\"\u003eThe writer specifically mentions:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"1117\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1x4iw2f\" data-start=\"789\" data-end=\"821\"\u003ethe frigate \u003cstrong data-start=\"803\" data-end=\"821\"\u003eLa Belle Poule\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"r7rl69\" data-start=\"822\" data-end=\"847\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"824\" data-end=\"847\"\u003ethe Comte de Grasse\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"5n3bl3\" data-start=\"848\" data-end=\"888\"\u003ethe wreck on the coast of \u003cstrong data-start=\"876\" data-end=\"888\"\u003eVirginia\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1tu45qg\" data-start=\"889\" data-end=\"941\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"891\" data-end=\"941\"\u003eYork River \/ Yorktown area (Court House Creek)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"14fu47r\" data-start=\"942\" data-end=\"981\"\u003erecovered cargo being held in storage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"10orl6i\" data-start=\"982\" data-end=\"1022\"\u003eexpenses being demanded before release\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"eda5xf\" data-start=\"1023\" data-end=\"1117\"\u003ea request that French authorities order the custodian to release the property without charge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1119\" data-end=\"1122\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"18huw03\" data-start=\"1124\" data-end=\"1148\"\u003eTranslation (Summary)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1150\" data-end=\"1177\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1150\" data-end=\"1177\"\u003eNew York, June 12, 1789\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote data-start=\"1179\" data-end=\"2155\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1181\" data-end=\"1185\"\u003eSir,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1190\" data-end=\"1394\"\u003eI have the honor of reminding Your Excellency that the vessel \u003cem data-start=\"1252\" data-end=\"1268\"\u003eLa Belle Poule\u003c\/em\u003e, belonging to the squadron of the Count de Grasse, was wrecked during the month of September last upon the coast of Virginia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1557\"\u003eThe rum and various other articles of the cargo were saved, but an individual has taken possession of them under the pretext of preserving them for the State.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1562\" data-end=\"1717\"\u003eThe rum is presently stored at Court House Creek, where the custodian insists upon payment of storage charges and other expenses before returning it to me.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1722\" data-end=\"1873\"\u003eThis appears unjust to me, since the cargo was never unlawfully taken and had been transported aboard one of our vessels where it had long been useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1878\" data-end=\"2080\"\u003eI hope that Your Excellency will be pleased to issue an order directing the custodian to surrender the property, if it is still there, without expense to the vessel that I intend to send to retrieve it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2085\" data-end=\"2112\"\u003eI have the honor to remain,\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2117\" data-end=\"2155\"\u003eYour very humble and obedient servant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2157\" data-end=\"2160\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"1353kst\" data-start=\"2162\" data-end=\"2186\"\u003eHistorical Importance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2188\" data-end=\"2262\"\u003eThis is a fascinating post-Revolutionary French naval document connecting:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2488\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"11hgrgf\" data-start=\"2264\" data-end=\"2309\"\u003eFrench naval operations in American waters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1w7s7i\" data-start=\"2310\" data-end=\"2353\"\u003eThe aftermath of the American Revolution.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1c2ege4\" data-start=\"2354\" data-end=\"2383\"\u003eVirginia maritime commerce.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"b4tfh2\" data-start=\"2384\" data-end=\"2413\"\u003eSalvage of shipwreck cargo.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"3rg3q1\" data-start=\"2414\" data-end=\"2488\"\u003eDiplomatic correspondence between French officials in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2490\" data-end=\"2657\"\u003eThe mention of \u003cstrong data-start=\"2505\" data-end=\"2526\"\u003eCourt House Creek\u003c\/strong\u003e is particularly significant, as it lies in the Yorktown area, where French naval activity remained important after the Revolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2659\" data-end=\"2839\"\u003eAlthough \u003cstrong data-start=\"2668\" data-end=\"2717\"\u003eAdmiral François Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse\u003c\/strong\u003e had returned to France years earlier, his squadron and its vessels continued to be referenced in official correspondence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2841\" data-end=\"2952\"\u003eLetters concerning the disposition of cargo from French naval wrecks in American waters are rarely encountered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2954\" data-end=\"2957\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-section-id=\"hrykuu\" data-start=\"2959\" data-end=\"2971\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2973\" data-end=\"2983\"\u003eVery Good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2985\" data-end=\"3162\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1et7c5\" data-start=\"2985\" data-end=\"3030\"\u003eComplete letter with integral address leaf.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"ec9nfp\" data-start=\"3031\" data-end=\"3067\"\u003eStrong, elegant French manuscript.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"8ds6dj\" data-start=\"3068\" data-end=\"3092\"\u003eTypical mailing folds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"14kfxeb\" data-start=\"3093\" data-end=\"3111\"\u003eMinor edge wear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1p27eyy\" data-start=\"3112\" data-end=\"3137\"\u003eLight scattered toning.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1ef9jyq\" data-start=\"3138\" data-end=\"3162\"\u003eExcellent readability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Signature Documents LLC","offers":[{"title":"Default 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