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PROPERTY OF THE LATE COMTE LOUIS DE CHASTELLUX
ROCHAMBEAU, Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Count (1725-1807). Letter signed ("le Cte de Rochambeau"), to François-Jean de Beauvoir, Chevalier de Chastellux, Philadelphia, 20 July 1782.
Details
ROCHAMBEAU, Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Count (1725-1807). Letter signed ("le Cte de Rochambeau"), to François-Jean de Beauvoir, Chevalier de Chastellux, Philadelphia, 20 July 1782.
In French, five pages 222 x 188mm, bifolia, blindstamped "ARCHIVES DE CHASTELLUX" at top right of first and fifth pages (marginal tear at left margin clear of text).
Preparing for the campaign of 1782: Rochambeau reassembles his army at Baltimore before marching to the Hudson Highlands to link up with Washington. Following the battle of Yorktown, the American and French armies separated and took winter quarters. The French encamped in detachments at Yorktown, Williamsburg and other secure points on Chesapeake Bay, while the Continental Army marched north to the Hudson Highlands in November 1781. Although it appeared to many that the conflict was soon to end, Washington feared complacency. He soon began planning for the next campaign, conferring with Rochambeau in Philadelphia that spring in which he urged the French general to march north and join his army to place additional pressure on British-occupied New York. Rochambeau, who during his absence from the army had placed Chastellux in charge, explained that he had planned on using "Baltimore as a staging post in case circumstances required a march," but now Yorktown and all other French posts were to be abandoned and the sojourn in Baltimore was only to last several weeks before the entire French army marched north: "Washington hopes that we will cross to the other side of the North River, so that he might at once secure [his positions around] New York and be able to send detachments to the rear should circumstances require it." The majority of French forces arrived in Baltimore the next week, and on 25 August, they began their march toward New York, arriving at the Hudson (North) River on 17 September.
Rochambeau then relays bad news from abroad: "We have the worst news from France: another convoy lost, with two ships of the line, upon leaving Brest for the East Indies." In addition, the British had taken two Dutch convoys off the coast of Coromandel, and apparently the coast of Ceylon. Rochambeau then relates the good news of Dutch recognition of American Independence, adding "Mr Adams is in place. And the Dutch have refused the peace [offer]." With momentum toward peace negotiations accelerating, he hopes that "god willing, the news of Mr De Grasse's battle will not change their mind [a reference to the Battle of the Saintes, 9-12 April 1782].". The general closes by observing that Chastellux had been "leading the army very well," adding that "his reports about it bring me great joy." Provenance: François-Jean de Beauvoir, Marquis de Chastellux (1734-1788) – by descent to the consignor.
In French, five pages 222 x 188mm, bifolia, blindstamped "ARCHIVES DE CHASTELLUX" at top right of first and fifth pages (marginal tear at left margin clear of text).
Preparing for the campaign of 1782: Rochambeau reassembles his army at Baltimore before marching to the Hudson Highlands to link up with Washington. Following the battle of Yorktown, the American and French armies separated and took winter quarters. The French encamped in detachments at Yorktown, Williamsburg and other secure points on Chesapeake Bay, while the Continental Army marched north to the Hudson Highlands in November 1781. Although it appeared to many that the conflict was soon to end, Washington feared complacency. He soon began planning for the next campaign, conferring with Rochambeau in Philadelphia that spring in which he urged the French general to march north and join his army to place additional pressure on British-occupied New York. Rochambeau, who during his absence from the army had placed Chastellux in charge, explained that he had planned on using "Baltimore as a staging post in case circumstances required a march," but now Yorktown and all other French posts were to be abandoned and the sojourn in Baltimore was only to last several weeks before the entire French army marched north: "Washington hopes that we will cross to the other side of the North River, so that he might at once secure [his positions around] New York and be able to send detachments to the rear should circumstances require it." The majority of French forces arrived in Baltimore the next week, and on 25 August, they began their march toward New York, arriving at the Hudson (North) River on 17 September.
Rochambeau then relays bad news from abroad: "We have the worst news from France: another convoy lost, with two ships of the line, upon leaving Brest for the East Indies." In addition, the British had taken two Dutch convoys off the coast of Coromandel, and apparently the coast of Ceylon. Rochambeau then relates the good news of Dutch recognition of American Independence, adding "Mr Adams is in place. And the Dutch have refused the peace [offer]." With momentum toward peace negotiations accelerating, he hopes that "god willing, the news of Mr De Grasse's battle will not change their mind [a reference to the Battle of the Saintes, 9-12 April 1782].". The general closes by observing that Chastellux had been "leading the army very well," adding that "his reports about it bring me great joy." Provenance: François-Jean de Beauvoir, Marquis de Chastellux (1734-1788) – by descent to the consignor.