Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de, Commander of the French Army in America

Letter signed ("D de Rochambeau"), 2 1/2 pages (9 x 7 3/8 in.; 230 x 189 mm) on a bifolium of laid paper (watermarked fb), written in a clerical hand, Williamsburgh, 20 May 1782, to Virginia Governor Benjamin Harrison, reception docket on verso of second leaf; neatly silked, some separations at central fold. 

The Richard Maass Collection of Revolutionary Americana (Sotheby's, 7 December 1999, lot 156)

Letter signed ("D de Rochambeau"), 2 1/2 pages (9 x 7 3/8 in.; 230 x 189 mm) on a bifolium of laid paper (watermarked fb), written in a clerical hand, Williamsburgh, 20 May 1782, to Virginia Governor Benjamin Harrison, reception docket on verso of second leaf; neatly silked, some separations at central fold.
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Rochambeau urges Governor Harrison to more closely enforce the trade terms of the Yorktown capitulation so that "Virginia may not furnish Newyork with provisions." Although the siege of Yorktown was the last significant campaign of the Revolutionary War, the peace was not officially concluded for another two-and-a-half years—and British forces and Loyalist refugees continued to occupy New York City until the autumn of 1783.

While Washington and most of his Continental troops marched north after Cornwallis's surrender, Rochambeau and the French army remained garrisoned in Virginia. The terms of the Yorktown capitulation allowed British merchants to barter their goods in exchange for Virginia tobacco, which was purchased and exported under the management of Robert Morris. In order to participate in this arrangement, merchant vessels were required to obtain a special passport from Congress. But Rochambeau here reports that just two of the ten British merchantmen in port at Hampton on the Chesapeake were carrying the necessary permit. He also advises Harrison that the British ships were buying foodstuffs and other provisions in violation of the capitulation terms and carrying them back to British-held New York.

"I have the honor to send your Excellency a return of the flags which are now arrived at Hampton, under the pretext of coming to fetch Tobacco for merchandises, in consequence of the Capitulation of york. Their number just now is of ten sail, only two of which have passports signed by the Secretary of Congress, and consequently Lawfull. I must observe to your Excellency that General Washington has wrote to me about six weeks ago, that all the passports of the vessels coming on that errand, according to the Capitulation of york, would be signed by the Secretary of Congress; I see there are only two that are so, and your Excellency with the Council will please to give orders for the others, as you will judge most convenient.

"I must likewise observe to you, that I have been informed that these flags buy up at any price whatever, all the fresh meat which they can find, about Portsmouth and Cape henry. I beg you would likewise give your orders about that, to the end that the coasts of Virginia may not furnish Newyork with provisions. In all, I think as well as your Excellency that this multiplicity of flags may be very prejudicial. I beg of your Excellency to forward the herein inclosed Letter to the commanding officers of the Legion de Lauzun, as Mr. De Choisy is returned here upon very particular business."