Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Georges LeClerc Collection of Revolutionary War Papers of French Commanders, 1780-1786

Dublin Core

Creator

LeClerc, Georges

Title

Date

1780-1786

Description

Letters of French commanders and others during the American Revolution. They include material concerning the French campaigns around Newport, Rhode Island; a map drawn for the siege of Yorktown, Virginia; letters written from Williamsburg, Virginia, and Lebanon, Pennsylvania, regarding the conduct of the war; letters from Versailles to the Governor of Tobago; and letters from Lafayette to M. Le Noir, regarding negotiation for a treaty of commerce between France and the United States, 1786. There are also projected itineraries for the French Army's march from Phillipsburg and White Plains to Philadelphia, and from Baltimore to Gloucester, Virginia. Among the signatures are those of: d'Arrot, de Bouille, de Castries, de Damas, de la Perouse, de Lauzun (Armand-Louis de Gontaut Biron), de Vaudreuil, Rochambeau and Viomenil.

Subject

United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Participation, French

Collection Items

Philippe Picot de Lapeyrouse letter, 1780 December 1

Philippe Picot de Lapeyrouse letter to an unnamed recipient concerning a letter of exchange and news of the recipient's son.
Semerville de Louye's receipt for a bill of exchange
Duc de Lauzun letter, 1781 January 18

Duc de Lauzun letter to an unnamed recipient dated from Newport, Rhode Island. Lauzun expresses his concern about the lack of communication from the Continental Army, writing that we have "the least news of the American Army which begins to become disquieting."
Duc de Lauzun letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1781 January 26

Letter of Lauzun to the Vicomte d'Arrot dated from Newport, Rhode Island, January 26, 1781. Lauzun writes concerning a package intended for General George Washington and his own personal goods coming from Rhode Island. Has no worthwhile news.
Duc de Lauzun letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1781 March 2

Lauzun writes from Waterley to d'Arrot concerning intelligence from Washington that 300 mounted men are bound for Long Island with the French forces as their objective. Lauzun discounts the intelligence. Advises d'Arrot to leave Hartford until a sufficient militia force can be gathered.
Duc de Lauzun letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1781 March 4

Discusses exchanging British prisoners of war currently on transport ships; the replacement of M. le Prince de Montbary by M. de Segur as Minister of War; and the handling of correspondence.
Capitulation de L'Isle de Tabago ...

A certified copy of the articles of surrender by which Tobago was given over to the French forces by the British. This manuscript copy is signed by the Marquis de Bouille.
Duc de Lauzun letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1781 June 8

Duc de Lauzon letter to Vicomte d'Arrot concerning the march of the French Army for Providence.
Duc de Lauzun letter, 1781 June 9

Lauzun writes about the arrival of the convoy in Boston along with the L'Alliance.
Itineraire de la march de L'armee partant de Phillipsburg pour rendre a Prince-town

Itinerary of the March of the French Army from Phillipsburg to Princeton.
Antoine Charles du Houx, baron de Viomenil letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1781 September 9

Letter of Baron de Viomenil, at the camp of Head-of-Elk to Vicomte d'Arrot concerning the march of the Lauzun Legion.
Antoine Charles du Houx, baron de Viomenil letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1781 September 10

Viomenil writes to inform d'Arrot that he is to leave for Baltimore with the hussars under his command.
Antoine Charles du Houx, baron de Viomenil letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1781 September 13

Viomenil writes to d'Arrot that he is to leave tomorrow with his cavalry for Williamsburg, Virginia.
Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau letter to Choisy, 1781 September 16

Comte de Rochambeau letter to Claude Gabriel marquis de Choissey directing him to lead the Lauzun Legion to Gloucester Court House to reinforce the Americans under General George Weedon.
Route que [?] rout les Equipages de L'Armee pour Le rendre a Williamsbourg Excepte ceux de La Legion Lauzun
Routte la Legion de Lauzun de Baltimore a Glocester Court house.

Route Lauzun's Legion was to take from Baltimore to Gloucester Court House.
State of the Garrison in York October 18th 1781

Enumeration of the officers and men fit for duty at Yorktown, October 18, 1781.
Articles de la Capitulation

French translation of the articles of surrender agreed to at Yorktown by Lord Cornwallis. The translation was prepared by the French staff for their use and for transmission to Europe. It is thought the pamphlet was printed on the press of the Ville de Paris, de Grasse's flagship, then in Virginia waters.

Title from caption.

The last page is blank.
Nom de Regiment Companant La Garrison D'York
Map of the Gloucester area during the siege of Yorktown

Map showing detail of the area surrounding Gloucester, Virginia during the siege of Yorktown. The locations of Yorktown and Williamsburg are shown on the opposite side of the York River. The French fleet is shown in Chesapeake Bay. The Gloucester Courthouse, Abindgdon Church, Saw Mill, Burwell's Mill, Dixon's Mill, Work House, and Seawell's Ordinary are all identified on the map. Also shown on the map are Thornton, Price and Lewis plantations as well as Rosewell.
Le Chevalier de Saint Jean letter to an unidentified general, 1782 January 5

The author, who signs himself, Le Chevalier de Saint Jean, discusses his naval operations in the area around Trinidad and Tobago.
Copie de la Lettre Cerite pau M. de Segur a M. Le Cte. de Rochambeau le 30 avril 1782 : manuscript copy

Copy of the letter written by Mr. de Segur to Mr. le Comte de Rochambeau, 30 April 1782. De Segur informs Rochambeau that the King expects him to transport his troops to the island of St. Domingue should the British abandon their posts at New York or Charleston.
Marquis de Bouille letter to Vicomte d'Arrot, 1782 October 6
Apercu du nombre de officiers ...

Estimate of French forces and others prepared to embark at Boston on the squadron of de Vaudreuil. Copy of the original by Rochambeau certified by Viomenil.
Instructions pour M. le Bar. de Viomenil

Instructions for Viomenil from Rochambeau dated Providence, November 26, 1782. Viomenil is to command the French troops who will embarck on board the squadron of Vaudreuil to rendezvous with Spanish. Copy of the original by Rochambeau certified by Viomenil.

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