Grasse, François Joseph Paul, Comte de

Mémoire du Comte de Grasse, Sur le Combat Naval du 12 Avril 1782, avec les Plans des positions principales des Armées respectives. N.p., n.d. [Paris: late 1782–early 1783]



4to (9 1/2 x 7 1/2 in.; 240 x 190 mm). Half-title, caption-title, 8 engraved folding maps showing fleet positions; some spotting in first and last few leaves, map margins somewhat soiled. Contemporary half calf over marbled boards; joints cracked, edges torn. Red half-morocco slipcase, gilt-stamped title on spine.



Bound with:



Vaudreuil, Louis Phillippe de Rigaud, Marquis de. Observations du Marquis de Vaudreuil, Adressées au Conseil de Guerre à l'Orient. [With:] Réponse de M. le Comte de Grasse aux Observations de M. le Marquis de Vaudreuil Adressées au Conseil de Guerre à l'Orient. N.p., [end of each text: 1784]. Printed on blue paper.

George Thomas Keppel, 6th Earl of Albemarle (engraved armorial bookplate with motto "ne cede malis")

Sabin 28333 (the first only)

The Defeat of Admiral De Grasse and his justification, privately printed for those concerned with the case.

The French fleet was defeated by the English under Rodney in the Battle of the Saintes which took place in the West Indies between Santo Domingo and Guadeloupe, 12 April 1782. De Grasse and his ship the Ville de Paris were captured. De Grasse returned from London to France and wrote this Mémoire in extenuation of his conduct. In it he produces evidence to be laid before the council convened to inquire into the causes of his defeat, and tries to prove that he could not be held responsible for the disaster.

The council acquitted him with honor, but his countrymen were not so sanguine. The Observations of Vaudreuil are severely critical of his actions, provoking the Réponse. De Grasse enjoyed high regard in America, and felt comfortable sending a copy of his Mémoire to Benjamin Franklin (transmittal letter dated 18 January 1783 is printed in the Papers 39:87).

This work belonged to the Earl of Albemarle who wrote Memoirs of the Marquess of Rockingham and his Contemporaries (1852), in addition to travel accounts of the Middle and Far East.