[English translation
At Camp Buck, 10 September, 1781
I request you, Sir, to leave tomorrow morning at four o'clock with the hussars which you command in order to deliver them to Baltimore where my troops will indicate to you the site which you must occupy. I inform you that you will stay after tomorrow. The bread which is due to you for tomorrow will be made for you at your arrival in Baltimore, if we can supply you with it at half rations for the morning. It will be [illegible] here for you before your departure. The employers of Messierus Nad or Thetcatte, will furnish for your supply flour and straw at your arrival in the same way as [illegible]. I have the honor to be with a very sincere attachment, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant.
Viomenil
to Monsieur Monsieur d'Arrot colonel commandant of the legion de Lauzan
Baltimore camp 13 September 1781
You want to leave tomorrow morning at five o'clock in the morning with the cavalry which you command in order to go to Williamsburg, confining yourself to the order to march which will be delivered to you by Mr. de Scheldon, you want to keep the hand to maintain order and discipline during all of the time of the march, the itinerary that Mr. de Scheldon will present to you will indicate to you all which must march in your train, I will not make any repetition to you in other regards, Sir, than commissioners of war will be charged with the policing of your front guard, and providing for your supplies.
I have the honor to be with a sincere attachment, Sir, your most humble and most obedient servant.
Viomenil
Keep yourself with strength and give thanks as soon as you have passed the [illegible].
[English translation]
[illegible]
The superior officer commanding the cavalry of the Lauzun Legion, will march at the head of the column of the artillery and equipment of the army, and will be followed by the equipment of the company, this march will all be done up to during the departure of troops or equipment which will follow the same direction, he will camp and will have the wagons park the closest as it will be possible to the [illegible] which will be his destination, he will place guards and sentinels as he will judge necessary for the policing of his cavalry and of his park, he will choose besides the best means in order that he must not have any disorders by any hussars or servant of his Legion, he will have the offenders punished, and his company will form moreover for the order of its proceeding tomorrow and the following day to that which will be judged by Messierus Dumas and Perthier, charged with the direction of this column.
At the camp of Head-of-Elk the 9 September 1781
Viomenil
I observe to date to Monsieur le Vicomte d'Arrot that he addressed [illegible] to us which has his sole legion.
[Envelope]
To Sir Monsieur le Vicomte d'Arrot camp master commanding the Lauzun Legion at his camp
Title from caption.
The last page is blank.
]]>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.
[English Translation]
Surrender of the Island of Tobago between the Count de Grasse commanding the Naval Forces of His Most Christian Majesty, and the Marquis de Bouillé commanding General of the French Windward Islands of America on one side
And the Honorable George Fergusson, Esquire, Commander-in-chief of the Island of Tobago, and the Honorable Major Stanhope Commander-in-chief of the forces of HIs British Majesty, on the said Island, on the other side.
Article 1
The Governor, the staff officers, officers of the troops and soldiers of the Island of Tobago will leave the reduit and forts, with the men of war and then will put down arms, with the exception of the Officers.
2
The officers and troops will be then sent to France, with the exception of the officers whom the French General will permit to stay in the Windward Islands of America on their word.
The wives and children of the troops will follow to the same destination.
3
The inhabitants of the Island will keep their civil government, their laws, customs and ordinances: justice will be administered by the same people who are presently in charge until peace as long as they conduct themselves well.
The Chancellery Court will be held by the members of the council and in the form established by the laws, customs and ordinances in which the said court will be made to the Council of His Most Christian Majesty.
4
The inhabitants in general of the said Island and the ministers of the religion, will now be in the possession of their goods and in the enjoyment of all they possess, of whatever nature that they can be, in their privileges, rights, honors and exemptions. They will have the free exercise of their religion, and the ministers the possession of their rectorships.
The free negroes and mulattoes will now be in their freedom, but no slave will be able to be freed in the future without the permission of the governor General conforming to the practice in the French colonies.
5
The inhabitants will only pay to His Most Christian Majesty the dues they paid to His British Majesty.
The costs for administration of justice, the salaries of the ministers of the religion and other common costs will be at the charge of the colony.
The commodities which will be exported from the colony, will pay to the realm the same duties which are paid in the French Colonies. It will be the same of them for the entry duties.
They will enjoy all the privileges of commerce given the subjects of His Most Christian Majesty in the Windward Isles of America.
6
The inhabitants will not pay the contribution of twelve hundred moëdes required and accepted by the provisional surrender but the colony will be charged with the reconstruction of the ships which were burned during the siege, in the manner that the inhabitants to whom they belong only contribute for their quota of the reconstruction. (To the amount of twelve hundred moëdes.)
7
The effects and particularly the slaves which were able to be taken during the siege, belonging to the inhabitants of this colony and which are able to be recovered will be returned. The slaves which were able to be conducted on board the vessels of the French Squadron, will be put on land and delivered into the hands of the Provost Marshall.
Note - will not be included amongst the restored effects ships which had been taken before the surrender of the Island or after, in the same way as the commodities or merchandises which are there.
8
The vessels, Ships and coasting-vessels belonging to the inhabitants of the Island will stay to them in own nature, but the English Ships from Europe or from the English Islands will faithfully be surrendered and delivered to the French Governor.
9
The absent inhabitants, even those who are in the service of His British Majesty, will now be in the possession and enjoyment of their goods which being able to be managed by the legal representatives.
10
The inhabitants will be, as in the French Islands, obliged to the lodging of men of war, in strictly necessary circumstances only, the troops being ordinarily lodged at the cost of the King or in ships (or buildings) which belong to him.
11
They will be obliged to furnish negro labor for the fortification works or others relative to the service of the King up to the amount of the number of four hundred; and the said Negroes will be fed at the cost of the King during the time that they are employed at the said work.
12
The inhabitants will take the oath of fidelity to His Most Christian Majesty in the hands of the French Governor or Tobago, in the extension of time of two days at risk of being deprived of the enjoyment of their goods.
But the inhabitants and particularly the widows who not being able to do it in the limited time by illness, absence or other obstacle will have a term which will be notified to them.
13
The inhabitants will observe an exact neutrality and will not be forced to take up arms against His British Majesty nor against any other powers.
Consequently they will carry all their arms to the area Chief which will be deposited in the Kings Magazine with the exception of those which Justices of the Peace will judge necessary in each habitation in order to insure the Police among the Negroes, but the Justices of the Peace will answer personally for the bad use which could be made of it against the terms of the present surrender; and they will deliver, in the delay which will be prescribed them, a list signed by them, into the hands of the French Governor of the arms which had been left with the inhabitants of their districts.
14
The inhabitants of the Island where not attached in title to the Service of His British Majesty, will not be reputed prisoners of war.
15
The commercial ships coming from England or from some other State that this could be, belonging to the inhabitants or merchants of the Island of Tobago, will be received in the ports of the said colony, during the space of six months without which they can be confiscated and will be deemed property of the said inhabitant or merchants.
Reserving beyond the said term to the French Governor, the right to judge the property of the said Ships, in consideration of the far off places from where they had been expedited.
But the inhabitants or merchants will be held to make the declaration oto the Director of the Province, in the extension of time* of one month of the ships which can or must be addressed to them in self or in partnership.
*Na the extension of time carried to two months.
The inhabitants generally will be able to dispose freely of personal property and real estate in the enjoyment of which they are maintained, consequently to sell them, to give them away in the same way as they judge it convenient.
They will dispose equally of their incomes and will be able to send their children to England or elsewhere in order to receive education there, and to have them return from there.
17
There will be returned to the General of the troops of His Most Christian Majesty all the artillery, the machines and effects which depend on it, all the arms in general, the powder of war, the victuals, all the effects generally whatsoever, the ships and buildings (les batimens meubles & immeubles), belonging to the King of England: There will be lists addressed of it and the delivery will be made in the shortest delay.
18
The inhabitants who have in their homes English soldeirs or sailors will be obliged to declare them in the space of four days, at punishment of a fine of one hundred moëdes and those who will aid in their evasion, will be enormously pursued.
At Tobago the second June, Seventeen hundred eighty-one. Signed - The Count de Grasse - The Marquis de Bouillé - Geo. Gergusson and C.J.R. Stanhope, for that which conserns the troops alone.
For the copy to conform with the original: Marquis de Bouillé
On board the Resolve, the 1st January 1783
Sir,
Permit me to have recourse to you in order to make up for the deficiency, if it is possible, of the instructions which circumstances render insufficient.
Mr le Marquis de Bouillé dispatched a division composed of the Solitaire, the Triton, the Nimphe, the Resolve, and the Expidi who left all together the 23 November in order to go cruise to windward of Barbados. Part of this division was bound in the last days of December to make a route for Tobago, to take there the news from Mr. le Marquis de Bouillé which he was obliged to address to the corvette the Martinique, standing off of Saint Gilles Point, Tobago Island. The Nimphe and the Resolve which were the two frigates of the division destined to come to Tobago were bound then to reascend to windward in order to carry the instructions and the ideas which they would have received from the corvette the Martinique. The hazards of war disturbed these arrangements. The 6 December, our division being sixty leagues to windward of Barbados found itself at dawn almost under the noses of eight English vessels coming from Europe. Each of us sheered off so as to separate the enemy forces in order that all not be taken; the Solitaire and the Expidi were joined. The rest escaped. As early as the same night having opened my separation packet, I concluded that this event must not divert the measures which Mr le Marquis de Bouillé had taken, in order to send the important information which the Nimph and I would be bound to carry, after having received them from the corvette, the Martinique. I immediately returned to our cruise, which made the first volume of our mission. At the time indicated the 25 December I sailed to deliver myself here: I have neither found the corvette Martinique, nor another ship which is able to entreat it. If you have knowledge of the orders, and the dispositions of Mr le Marquis de Bouillé relative to the landing of your island, I request you to pass them to me; you will place me in a postition to fulfill his wishes and to be useful to the good of the service. It was said in my separation packet that I would sail to Martinique at the twentieth of this month.
Since the confrontation which we had the sixth with these eight English vessels. I have no longer had any news from the Nimphe and the Triton. I presume they returned to Martinique.
If you have information that there are some French frigates to windward of Tobago, I request you likewise to want to inform me of it.
Sir
Your most humble and most obedient servant
The Chev. de Saint Jean
[English translation]
8 January
My General,
I just received your response of the date of the 7th at nine o'clock at night. I renew my regrets to you if the circumstances do not permit me at all to go to make you my tour at Scarborough.
I request you to have Mr. de Mongiraud informed that despite all the measures that he wanted to take, I have not received at all the twenty sheep that he had announced to me for yesterday afternoon. Therefore, I await them still; but want to observe him that these are very precious moments that I lose: and it is very possible that the results of it will be unpleasant if the English have information that I am here.
I have the honor to be with a respectful attachment, my General,
Your most humble and most
obedient servant,
le Chev. de St. Jean
I am in despair of your indisposition: I like to persuade myself that it will have no result. I will give your news to Mr. de Preince, his family to Mrs. d'Haorvent and to all her society.
I request you to deliver this letter to his address at Grenada[?]
[English translation]
Copy of a letter written by Mr. de Segur to Mr. le Comte de Rochambeau 30 April 1782
The changes befalling the Ministry of the King of England could, Sir, determine the English to change the system of operations of the war in America; the King charged me to inform you that it is necessary that you carry all your attention to keep yourself well informed if the English, for whatever cause that may be, evacuate the fortresses of New York and Charles-Town that they occupy in North America. The intention of His Majesty being that one of these cases happening, you go without awaiting new orders to place yourself on the Island of St. Domingue with the entire corps that you have under your orders.
I am charge to inform you that in consequence the transport ships which have just arrived in the Chesapeake will stay there at your orders, and there will be sent there the largest number of ships necessary in order to complete the transport of the 5,000 men of which the army corps which is at your orders is composed.
Mr. de Grasse will be informed of this disposition in order that he contribute to the execution of the King's orders which I address to you and he plans together with you if the forseen circumstances arrive.
His Majesty charged me to inform you that his intention is that when you will have arrived in St. Domingue, the commanding of the land troops belongs to you and that you will order superiority for all which could interest the defense of the island; but at the same time His Majesty understands that the interior government of the colony is always exercised by Mr. de Dellecombe, Governor General.
I must inform you, Sir, that the King being convinced with His Catholic Majesty, that Messrs, de Galvez, de Bouille and de Dellecombe plan among themselves the offensive operations and that in this case, the commanding would be vested in Mr. de Galvez and the projects having been formed of it before there could be question of your arrival in St. Domingue, the intention of the King is that you cannot upset any of the measures taken by these generals; He awaits on the other hand the zeal which animates you for his service which you will contribute with all your power to the success of the expeditions projected in having march there for them part or even the totality of the troops which are at your orders if that was necessary; but being the elder of Mr. de Galvez, the King being convince that this Spanish General would have the command of the expedition, you cannot join any of yours to him, and you will restrain yourself to give him all the aid that he will ask of you. I am authorized to inform you on the part of His Majesty that you must not be less persuaded of the confidence that he has in your talents if the King does not charge you with this expedition, but that it was planned long before one could imagine that your destination could be changed. His Majesty is perfectly content with your services, he is disposed to give you proof of his satisfaction that he has of it. Nevertheless, if the climate of St. Domingue could be harmful to your health, His Majesty permits you when you have established there the troops which are at your orders, to take advantage of the leave that I addressed to you. But will only be seeing that this arrangement will agree with you more. You will give to Mr. de Tarlé all the orders which will be necessary to the arrangements of your new destination.
Once arrived in St. Domingue you will give account to Mr. de Castries of your operations as well as all the objectives on which this minister will ask you details, and you will execture the orders that he will sent you on the part of the King: You want to send me copies of your correspondence.
It only remains to me to speak lf the funds destined later on to the payment of the expenditures of your army. I have announced to you by my earlier dispatches that I would have two million in specie leave in the first day of July in order to be carried to you in America. Instead of sending them to you directly, I have just taken measures with the department of the navy in order that these two million be delivered to the treasuries of St. Domingue toward the end of the month of August; if according to what will come about, your army is still at that time in the American continent, you will charge Mr. de Tarlé to have delivered the funds from St. Domingue. The treasury of this Colony will have orders to hold them at your arrangements and at his. I restrain myself in announcing this plan for the funds to Mr. de Tarlé in indicating to him that they were delivered to St. Domingue because that way is perhaps as short and safer than if the money were sent directly to America. You will only give to this administrative officer this part article of my dispatch, and you will guard the greatest secret on all the rest until the moment of the execution.
Signed: Segur
His copy conforms with the original
Viomenil
[English Translation]
Newport 26 January 1781
You want, Sir, at whatever hour the package for Gen. Washington arrives at Lebanon to pass it on the field to Hartford. The post leaves from Hartford Monday at nine o'clock in the morning. It is important that the package be there before.
I am very obliged to you to have well chosen to take care of my goods coming from Rhode Island, leave my wagon horses [there] Mr. Blanchard promised me to transport [them] to me from Providence when I would like, I would only be very obliged to you to tell me the name of the area where the waggon left its cargo. Nothing new even from Pennsylvania. The letters from Gen. Washington are from the ninth1, and speak to me of nothing. According to all appearances I will still stay here five or six days. The General wishes that I await Col. Laurens. You know, Sir, the sincere inviolable friendship which I have sworn to you.
D Lauzan.
[Envelope]
To Monsieur le Vicomte d'Arrot Col. Commanding the foreign Volunteers from Lauzun the 26 January to pass on the field to Lebanon Urgent D. Lauzun
1. The phrase "du neuf" ordinarily means "something new" which does not seem likely in this context.
[English Translation]
Newport the 8 June 1781
The first division of the Army leaves, Sir, tomorrow or afer for Providence. We march on our side toward the left flank of the army, and we will not stir from Lebanon before ten or twelve days. I will know tomorrow the fixed time, and I will write on the field accordingly to Mr D. Trumbull. I order Mr. de Palersky to dispatch on the field all the artillery horses which are shod and to push the shoeing of the others. There arrived in Boston two ships of the convoy which announce the rest in a few days. You know, Sir, my sincere and ivniolable attachment for you
[Envelope]
To Sir Monsieur le Vicomte d'Arrot Col. commanding the Foreign Volunteers of Lauzun
To LEBANON
This urgent letter must pass on the field to Lebanon at Newport the 8 June 1781 nine o'clock at night D Lauzun
Arrives at the Borington Post the 9 June at 6 o'clock at night left on the change.
Roenier
At the Nouslandin Post at 9 o'clock at night and left on the change.
Braucois
[English Translation]
Waterley, the 2 March
I have the honor to send you sir the letters which are for Lebanon, I received mine on the road and did not even have time to read them.
In telling me that there is not any dependence [on it] General Washington informs me that information was give him that the enemy to the number of three hundred mounted men are bound to go to Long Island, to embark themselves there and that we are their objective, I believe so little of it that I continue my route. I have meanwhile seen Gen. Huntington and Col. Ledgar. You will be warned far in advance, if the least thing happens. Your best part will be to withdraw yourself on Hartford, until sufficient militia would be assembled; the debarked enemies would be I am convinced nearly as many. In case of more I have taken my measures in order to join you in time. I would be very obliged to youf if you learn something here. I ask of you the goodnes to send my horses before me to Wolentowne. You know Sir, my sincere and inviolable attachment.
De Lauzun
[English Translation]
Lebanon the 4 March 1781
It is no longer thought, Sir, to place the English prisoners at Lebanon, they prefer to stay on board the transport ships until they will be exchanges. I believe it is not necessary that yo have towards Col. Williams, nor [towards] Governor Trumball the air of having communicated to me his response, but that you only said that in the fear that he does not find himself employment at the fight, M. le Comte de Rochambeau resolved to keep them in Newport.
You must have received the letters which came to you at my address.
We learn from Paris of 20 October that M. le Prince de Montbary is no longer Minister of War, [and] that M. de Segur, the one-armed Lieut. Gen. has his position.1
[illegible] I ask you as a favor very very covetous of the hazards of correspondence, to only let pass by the chain the letters from Gen. Washington, or from M. le Chev. de la Luzern, [and] to await for all others which could be addressed to me an occasion inorder to forward them to me [with] those coming from France. I pray of you to seal all countersigned letters from Washington to my address, and to then pass them to me on the first occasion, you will judge if they are sufficiently important in order to send them to me by the chain. Have the goodness to take great caution to forsee that these packages [which] come will deliver themselves with great rapidity.
Are you willing to send me Lavel with his horse, and tell him to come join me in Newport without tiring his horse. When I will know the time of my return, I will have the honor to inform you of it. I have that to be with the most sincere, and the most inviolable attachement, Sir, your most humble and most obedient servant.
D Lauzun.
[Envelope]
To Sir Monsieur le Vicomte d'Arrot Colonel Commanding the Foreign Volunteers of Lauzun to Lebanon
1. Lieutenant General de Segur was wounded in 1760 in Corsica.
[English Translation]
Newport 18 January 1781
M. le Comte de Rochambeau, Sir, does not yet have the least news of the American Army which begins to become disquieting. I cannot know my march before he has received it, but according to all appearances I will not be long absent from Lebanon. If an American named Capt. Robert comes who is addressed to me by Mr. de la Fayette, I will be very obliged to you to receive him well and to treat him well.
You know, Sir, all my sincere attachment for you.
D. Lauzun.
[English Translation]
Newport the 9 June 1781.
Nothing new, Sir, except the arrival of the convoy in Boston which is great news. L'Alliance also arrived it did not carry one single letter
If Mr de Lomenie was absent for more than twenty-four hours, you would wish to open the package at his address, and to charge Mr Billy Dillon to post to New Windsor all which is addressed there.
You know, Sir, my sincere and inviolable attachment for you.
D. Lauzun.
[English translation]
Instructions for M. le Baron de Viomenil
M. le Baron de Viomenil will command the body of French troops which embark on board the squadron of M. le Marquis de Vaudreuil; he will conduct them to the place where M. le Marquis de Vaudreuil will judge it suitable to debark it according to the orders that he received or that he will receive from the Court and the rendezvous that he can have with the Spanish.
M. le Baron de Viomenil will deliver the body of troops to the orders and the arrangements either of Mr. de Galvez, Spanish Lieutenant General, or of the Governor Generals of our Colonies; if his health does not permit him to stay there, he will leave it under the command of M. le Comte de Viomenil, his brother.
At Providence 26 November 1782
Signed: Le Comte de Rochambeau
for copies to agree with the original.
Viomenil
[English Translation]
Itinerary of the march of the army leaving from Phillipsburg in order to go to Princeton:
m. | |||
---|---|---|---|
Sunday 19 | to North Castle | 14 | |
Monday 20 | to Kingsferry | 18 | |
Tuesday 21 | Passage of North River | ||
Wednesday 22 | [illegible] | ||
Thursday 23 | to Suffrance | 16 | |
Friday 24 | to Pamton | 14 | |
Saturday 25 | to Whippany | 15 | |
Sunday 26 | to Bullwin's Tavern | 14 | |
Monday 27 | to Somerset Courthouse | 14 | |
Tuesday 28 | to Princeton | 15 | |
Wednesday 29 | to Trenton | 15 | |
Thursday 30 | to Red Lion Tavern | 15 | |
Friday 31 | to Philadelphia | 13 |
There probably will not be place to sojourn, but if there is one it will be at Whippany which is 5 miles from Chatam where the ovens are. One will march by brigade from Kingsferry. Lauzun's volunteers will be with the 1st Brigade.
Sunday, 19 August, leave from White Plains at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, stop and spend the night in bivouac by a large plain[?] 5 miles from the [illegible] of North Castle 5 Miles-Monday 20th to North Castle 7 miles -- Tuesday 21st to Crumpond [Crompont] - 10 miles -- Wednesday 22nd passage of the North River and camp at Straw Harbor 15 miles -- Thursday 23rd stay at Straw Harbor. Friday 24th sae -- Saturday 25th to Suffrance 14 miles -- Sunday 26th to Pamton 15 miles -- Monday 27th to Whippany 15 miles -- Tuesday 28th stay -- Wednesday 29th to Bullwin's tavern 14 miles -- Thursday 30th to Somerset 14 miles -- Friday 31st to Princeton 15 miles -- Saturday 1st September to Trenton 15 miles -- Sunday to Red Lion Tavern 15 miles -- Monday 3rd to Philadelphia 17 miles -- Tuesday 4th stay -- Thursday.
Williamsburg this 16 September 1781
The present circumstances demanding, Sir, that the corps of Brigadier General George Weedon which is camped at Gloucester Court House be reinforced, I have the honor to write you that the intention of General Washington and myself is that you direct yourself there with the cavalry of your corps, in order to [place] yourself there at the orders, you will be followed by the equipments as much for your cavalry as for your infantry because it is probable that as soon as your infantry has arrived it will go to join you there with the Duc de Lauzan.
I request you to order my equipments and all those of the army which follow you to take the first route which was indicated to you in order to go to Williamsburg in observing meanwhile that the Newcastle bridge being broken it is necessary to direct on Tod's Bridge and Ruffin's Ferry in order to come to Williamsburg instead of following the route from Newcastle, I request you to leave an officer at Bowling Green where I send you to carry this letter to whom you deliver an extract of the route to which the equipments of the army must hold in order to come to Williamsburg, and who will stay at the said Bowling Green until all equipments of the army have passed in order that there is no error in the change of routes which you took which only regards those of your legion.
It will also be necessary that you leave the [illegible] of Mr. Wadsworth which marches with you in order to conduct the column of equipments and provisions in a devestated country, you will portion yourself of it much more easily as you only have two small flour purchases in order to deliver yourself to the camp of Brigadier General George Weedon and that you have more resources in choosing some officer of your corps in order to make your provisioning in a country less devestated than this one. I have the honor to be with a most perfect attachment, your most humble and most obedient servant.
le Comte de Rochambeau
[English translation]
On board the Resolve 5 January 1782
Anchord at Grand Courlande
My General,
Here it is three days that I have battled against the currents, and I cannot weather Point St. Gilles. My pilot announces to me that they could continue with the same violence until the full moon. If that was, I would pass this month, to weather the island, to anchor at Scarborough, and to redo again the tour of the island in order to go cruise; and all that would only be finished at the time it was necessary to leave: I return therefore to reanchor at the Grand Courlande; I request you to send me the objects which I asked of Mr. de Mongiraud; during that time the currents will loose their force, and when I will leave that will be in order to go rejoin la Barboude, to make it part of your dispositions, and to ascend myself, to windward of the island in order to establish my cruise at thirty in the East; as long as la Barboude will stay on the Point of St. Gilles. I avoid by this calculation which the force of the currents oblige me to make, I gain perhaps twelve or fifteen days.
I request you to engage Mr. de Mongiraud to have loaded in a boat my received letter, the different objects that I asked of him. I would like to have work there with the greatest activity in order that I be ready to leave immediately. Two pressing motives make me stay in this anchorage the least time possible: the importance of the subject which made you desire me to cruise to windward of the island, and the danger for my frigate to stay for long in a roadstead without defense since the English can have knowledge in Barbadoes that I am here on the island. Mr. de Mongiraud can dispatch to me this boat in less than twenty-four hours; he will have had the goodness to have collected today Sunday by these means all the objects that I had asked of him. I request to obtain from him to place the greatest diligence. If it was possible to go without paying my addresses to Scarborough, I would go with great haste, but I neither can nor am bound to leave my frigate in a roadstead as open as this one here.
I would be sensitive to your goodness, my General, if you want to inform me immediately of the arrangement that Mr. de Mongiraud takes.
The 29 January I will come to anchor at Scarborough following our first arrangement. For this time here I do not see and indispensable necessity in coming there since I must use all the time to go, come, and return in order to take my cruise, which in the fact and capital point of the thing; the rest is only accessory. The resume of my meetings with Mr. Dombidau of which I had given you an account in coming to anchor at present at Scarborough is that he will stay in view of the Point St. Gilles; and that I will go cruise thirty leagues in the East. If you have news to have him know, you will make him the signal of it from the Point St. Gilles, either he will send to get your letter by his longboat or he will come to anchor at Scarborough. The 1st way would be, it seems to me, better, seen that if he goes to anchor at Scarborough he is again obliged to make the tour of the island and to remount against the currents in order to take his cruise.
When in leaving from here I go to see him, I will instruct him of your part of this arrangement of which we agreed together.
I have the honor to be with a respectful attachment,
My General,
Your most humble and most
obedient servan,
The Chev. de Saint Jean
I request you to seal my letter to Mr. de Mongiraud before delivering it to him and to want to press him a little.
If he wants to send me a [?] of two hundred [?], with a safe opportunity, I will have them passed to him, you will want in this case to send me a letter for Mr. President de Peinier on this object.
[English Translation]
Martinique the 21 February 1783
I have the honor, Sir, to send you several copies of an ordinance of Congress by which you will see that all of the raw and manufactured merchandise from England is prohibited in the United States. It is necessary that the merchants of your island know this arrangement, in order that they anticipate in their precautions the certain danger which they would have of the loss of merchandise and commodities coming from raw and manufactured English [merchandise] which they could send in one of the ports of the United States, where there is only received the raw and manufactured [merchandise] from France.
I request you to render this ordinance public in having it posted and deposited in the registry of the admiralty.
I have the honor to be with a very inviolable attachment, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant.
Bouillé
M. le Vicomte d'Arrot, Governor of Tobago
[English translation]
Port Royal the 6 October 1782
Many estimates of the state of affairs, Sir, of the different islands which have not reached me give me reason to fear that they have fallen into enemy hands, in order to prevent a similar accident in the future, I request you to address to me the estimate of the position of the troops which compose your garrison by the King's frigates or corvettes, stamping on the package which will contain them, Throw into the Sea in case of emergency.
It will always be necessary that you will be obligated yourself to send it by the company commanders the first days of each month, the estimates of the position according to the model, which are destined to me. In order to hold them all ready to be placed on the first vessel, frigate, or corvette, I request you to direct the hand so that they will be punctual.
And in order to replace as far as it is possible the estimates in the interval which I will place to receive them and to place myself within range to not interrupt my correspondence with that which is known relative to the location of the troops, I will be obliged to you have drawn up in the first days of each month a statement of the location of the corps conforming to that which I join here, which will only contain the movements, and to address them to me in duplicate, by all opportunities without stamping the packaging To Throw etc. as the loss of it will be unimportant.
I have the honor to be with a very inviolable attachment, Monsieur le Vicomte, your very humbe and obedient servant
Bouille
[English Translation]
Martinique 10 December 1783
I have the honor to respond, Sir, to your letters of 30 and 31 December. I was worried about your health, and I make my compliments to you in your recovery.
I send you the commission which you desire.
As soon as the Silpson will have returned from Grenada, I will return it to you in order to make up the deficiency in Barbadoes: I have no more of the corvettes they have all left for France.
You did very well to establish order and to use severity; it is the only means to lead men, and especially military [men].
It is fortunate that your hospital is going well; go there with aid, do please; I will send you another surgeon. I send you a man to command your schooner.
I send you a [illegible]; of which you want to have copies made, and to deliver one of them to Mr. Sombidan; and to the officer who commands the port in question ...
It seems that peace is signed in Europe; in this manner of which [illegible] has just finished.
I have the honor to be sir with a most inviolable attachment your very humble and very obedient servant.
Bouille
[English Translation]
Martinique the 27 February 1783
I sent, Sir, the brig the Judith in order to relieve the Darboude; and I will be obliged to you to profit from the return of that corvette in order to send me the original lists of situations of the troops which compose your garrison. I received the list of the movement of the first of this month.
I have the honor to be with a very inviolable attachment, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant.
Bouillé
P.S. By the news which there is from St. Thomas, it would seem that M. de Vaudreuil was anchored at Porto Babello. The English army is still at Ste. Lucie.