- 63
(Franco-Americana)
Estimate
35,000 - 50,000 USD
bidding is closed
Description
- manuscript journal
Jean-François, Baron d'Arros. "Année 1781 [-1782]. Journal des vaisseaux le Languedoc et le Palmier commandés alternativement par Jean-François Baron D'Arros, Capitaine des Vaisseaux du Roi et Brigadier de ses Armées dans l'Armée aux ordres de M. le Comte de Grasse en Amérique; avec des Nottes."
Manuscript on paper, 190 pages (12 5/8 x 8 in.; 322 x 204 mm) written recto and verso, preserved in 9 ribbon-sewn fascicules, each numbered and with a section-title, in a neat clerical hand; very occasional light soiling.
Manuscript on paper, 190 pages (12 5/8 x 8 in.; 322 x 204 mm) written recto and verso, preserved in 9 ribbon-sewn fascicules, each numbered and with a section-title, in a neat clerical hand; very occasional light soiling.
Literature
Dictionnaire de biographie française III, 1103 (d'Arros); Taillemite, Dictionnaire des marins français, pp. 222-223 (de Grasse), pp. 28-29 (Barras) et p. 377 (Monteil)
Catalogue Note
Born in 1730 in Arthès, Béarn, France, to a military family, Jean-François d’Arros started his career in the French Navy in 1744. He became lieutenant in 1756 and then captain in 1772. After campaigns in the Caribbean he received the command of the Languedoc, a ship with 80 cannons, and left France the year after with Count de Grasse's 36-vessel squadron to support the American Revolution. The present manuscript describes the entire campaign, from weighing anchor in Brest on 22f March 1781 through the end of the campaign in September 1782, including the actions of the Languedoc on Chesapeake Bay and in the Antilles.
The manuscript opens with the list of the officers of the Languedoc and its specifications. In July 1781, Arros assumed command of the Palmier, carrying 74 guns, and shortly found battle with the British on the Chesapeake: "The enemy came with full sail, wind at his back, on us. We were on line, the closest to the port side with 21 ships, including two with 3 tops. They had 6 ships. At 3.30, the enemy front yard arrived on ours with hostile intentions." Most importantly, Arros participated in the siege of Yorktown, and in the manuscript he remarks, "Yorktown has fallen after a 10 days resistance."
The present manuscript may have been prepared as part of Arros's defense in a court martial brought because of his failure to engage during the disaterous battle of the Saintes. Arros claimed that Grasse had ordered him not join the battle and the manuscript records that he claimed to have "obeyed but not without objecting." Arros was acquitted of any wrongdoing by the court.
The manuscript opens with the list of the officers of the Languedoc and its specifications. In July 1781, Arros assumed command of the Palmier, carrying 74 guns, and shortly found battle with the British on the Chesapeake: "The enemy came with full sail, wind at his back, on us. We were on line, the closest to the port side with 21 ships, including two with 3 tops. They had 6 ships. At 3.30, the enemy front yard arrived on ours with hostile intentions." Most importantly, Arros participated in the siege of Yorktown, and in the manuscript he remarks, "Yorktown has fallen after a 10 days resistance."
The present manuscript may have been prepared as part of Arros's defense in a court martial brought because of his failure to engage during the disaterous battle of the Saintes. Arros claimed that Grasse had ordered him not join the battle and the manuscript records that he claimed to have "obeyed but not without objecting." Arros was acquitted of any wrongdoing by the court.