Item 44: Letter from Chevalier Anne-César de la Luzerne to “Count d’Hector” [Jean Baptiste Charles Henri Hector, Count of Estaing] [French Language], 1788 October 29
Item — Box: 2, Folder: 44
Dates
- Created: 1788 October 29
Creator
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Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter
Condition Note:
Fair (manuscript): parchment is browning, ink is beginning to fade, slight staining on the back page; Good (archivist’s translation)
Measurements:
7 ¾ in. x 6 ¼ in. (manuscript closed); 7 ¾ in. x 12 ½ in. (manuscript open); 8 in. x 4 ⅞ in. (archivist’s translation)
Description:
The following is a letter from Chevalier Anne-César de la Luzerne to the Count d’Hector [Charles Henry Hector, Count of Estaing], written from [the Palace of] Versailles to Brest, France, on October 29, 1788. Within the letter, Chevalier de la Luzerne discusses arrangements for a ship for a group of ambassadors’ return journey. It appears that they were to sail aboard the Thétis, an 18-pounder frigate, even though they arrived aboard the Aurore. Luzerne had discussed with M. de Macnamara (Henry Macnamara) the possibility of providing two ships, however, the king [likely King Louis XVI] only wanted to grant the use of a single ship for the voyage. Luzerne mentions that they would like the return trip to be faster, and he discusses the logistics of the food that will be supplied in hopes of reducing the overall expense of the journey. These ambassadors were very likely from the Kingdom of Mysore [modern day southern India], as Luzerne mentions that Tipu Sultan would also like for the return trip to be quicker. In 1787 Tipu Sultan sent a group of ambassadors (Muhammad Darvesh Khan. Akbar Ali Khan and Osman Khan. Akbar Ali Khan) to the court of King Louis XVI in an attempt to secure an alliance and military support in Mysore against England. After a ten month and twenty day long voyage, l’Aurore landed in Toulon on June 8, 1788. The ambassadors met with King Louis XVI on August 3, 1788; however, the King declined the official alliance as France was at peace with England at that time. Tipu Sultan also wanted French artisans and craftsmen to return to Mysore, so this likely refers to the approximate 20 craftsmen mentioned in Luzerne’s letter. The ambassadors left France with Captain Macnamara on October 9, 1788. Tipu Sultan would continue to attempt to forge an alliance with France over the coming years and gained traction when Napoleon Bonaparte came to power. At the time that this letter was written, Luzerne had already completed his service as ambassador to the United States. This same year, he was appointed as ambassador to England. This letter was likely written before he began work in that position. In 1758 the Count d’Hector fought the British near present day Southern India, and he later joined the French East India Company. He was made naval inspector and governor of Brest in 1772 and was promoted to Vice Admiral of the Asian and American seas in 1777. Following his involvement in the American Revolutionary War, Hector became increasingly more interested in politics and diplomacy; and he was elected to the Assembly of Notables in 1787. Luzerne may have been writing to Hector about the ambassadors’ plans due to his extensive naval background, his knowledge of the region surrounding Mysore, and/or his proximity to the King. Henry Macnamara was a Vice-Admiral in the French Royal Navy and was made a count by Louis XVI in 1782. After Macnamara took the ambassadors back to Mysore, he stopped in Isle de France (present day Mauritius) where news of the French Revolution reached him. As a Royalist, Macnamara refused to obey orders from the National Assembly, and inhabitants of the Isle de France captured and hanged him in 1790. The ambassadors likely came to France aboard the French corvette Aurore built in Le Havre and launched in 1767. This ship was used by Pierre le Roy for scientific research, and acquired by the French Royal Navy in 1769. According to this reference, Tipu Sultan’s ambassadors sailed aboard the Roy l’Aurore, likely referring to the ship's history with Pierre le Roy.
Location:
Versailles, France; Brest, France
Transcription:
[Page one]
La Luzerne,
Ministre de la Maine
Versailles, le 29 octobre 1788
j’avais déjà discuté, Monsieur le Comte, avec M. de Macnemara[sic] [Macnamara] la demande d’un second batiment[sic] [bâtiment], demande qui avait été antérieurement faite par les ambassadeurs. Il seait[sic] [sait] que l’intention du Roi est de d’en donner qu’un seul. Les Ambassadeurs et leur suite ont dit eux mêmes en arrivant qu’ils étoient[sic] [étaient] trouvés parfaite-ment bien à bord de la petite corvette l’aurore[sic] [l’Aurore] . Il n’y aura en passagers que[sic] [qu’]environ vint[sic] [vingt] francais[sic] [Français] de plus sur la Thetys[sic] [Thétis] fregate[sic] [frégate] portant du 18, et ces hommes sont des artisans. On veut accelerer[sic] [accélérer] le retour (d'après la demande de Tippo[sic] [Tipu] Sultan même) et epargner[sic] [épargner] sur la depense[sic] [dépense] qui a été jusqu'ici excessive. 1°. Une gabarre quelconque ne seroit[sic] [serait] pas aussitot[sic] [aussitôt] armée que la frégate. Il faudrait auquelle en retardant le depart[sic] [départ] ou quelle rejoignent M. de Macnemara[sic] [Macnamara] dont les relaches[sic] [relâches] doivent etre[sic] [être] tres[sic] [très] courtes. Vous me faites cette observation vous même. 2°. La marche de deux batiments[sic] [bâtiments] n’est jamais aussi eleve[sic] [élevée] que celle d’un seul. Les Ambassadeurs usent et abusent de ce qu’on fait pour eux, ils demandent sur tout objet et sans bornes, ils en ont usé de meme[sic] [même] à l'égard des provisions. L’aurore[sic] [L’Aurore] ne portait assurement[sic] [assurément] pas cinq cents moutons et trois mille volailles vivantes. Il n'y a qu'à en diminuer le nombre sauf à suppleer[sic] [suppléer] dans le relacher[sic] [relâcher]. A[sic] [À] leurs deux parents pres[sic] [près], leur suite est composée de gens d’un état peu considerable[sic] [considérable], à qui leur religion permet de manger du ris[sic] [riz] [et] des legumes[sic] [légumes]. Que la Thetys[sic] [Thétis] parte, d’autant que lorsque vous recevrez ma reponse[sic] [réponse] elle sera prete[sic] [prête] M. le Comte d’Hector à Brest
[Page two] à mettre à la voile, et vous verrez qu’en mer tout s'arrangera. j’ai été malade depuis huit jours. Daignez excuser la brévité de ma réponse, et agreer[sic] [agréer] les assurances de l’attachement sincère avec lequel j’ai l’honneur d'être, Monsieur le Comte, votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur.
La Luzerne [Signature]
Archivist’s Translation: [Page one of letter and translation] Versailles, this 29th of October 1788. I had already discussed, Count, with Monsieur de Macue-mara[sic] [Macnamara], the demand of a second ship, a demand which had been made previously by the embas-sadors[sic] [ambassadors]. He knows that the King’s intention is, to give only one. The embassadors[sic] [ambassadors] and their suite have said themselves on arriving, that they had been perfectly comfortable on board of the little corvette, “l’Aurore.” There will be as passengers only about twenty more Frenchmen on the Thétys, a frigate carrying 18 guns, and these men are artisans. One wishes to accelerate the return (according to Tippo[sic] [Tipu] Sultan’s
[Page two of translation] own demand) and to lower the expense, which until now has been excessive. 1o. No kind of a lighter could be armed as soon as the frigate. It would be necessary either to delay her departure or make her join Monsieur de Macueamara[sic] [Macnamara] who stays but very shortly in each port, you yourself have made this observation to me. 2o. The speed of two ships is never as great as that of one alone. The embassadors[sic] [ambassadors] use and abuse of what is done for them, they demand every thing[sic] [everything] and their exactions are without limit. They have acted in the same way about the provisions.
[Page three of translation] The “Aurore” surely did not carry five hundred sheep and three thousand fowls, all alive. That number must be lessened and supplies can be obtained wherever they stop. Excepting their two relatives, their suite is composed of persons of no great importance, whose religion permits them to eat rice and vegetables. Let the Thétys start, the more so[sic] [moreso] as, when you will receive my answer, she will be ready [Page two of letter] to sail, and you will see, that once on the high seas, every thing[sic] [everything] will arrange itself. I have been ill for eight days. Please excuse the short-ness of my answer, and
[Page four of translation] accept the assurance of the sincere attachment with which I have the honor, Count, to be your very humble and very obedient servant La Luzerne. To the Count d’Hector at Brest
j’avais déjà discuté, Monsieur le Comte, avec M. de Macnemara[sic] [Macnamara] la demande d’un second batiment[sic] [bâtiment], demande qui avait été antérieurement faite par les ambassadeurs. Il seait[sic] [sait] que l’intention du Roi est de d’en donner qu’un seul. Les Ambassadeurs et leur suite ont dit eux mêmes en arrivant qu’ils étoient[sic] [étaient] trouvés parfaite-ment bien à bord de la petite corvette l’aurore[sic] [l’Aurore] . Il n’y aura en passagers que[sic] [qu’]environ vint[sic] [vingt] francais[sic] [Français] de plus sur la Thetys[sic] [Thétis] fregate[sic] [frégate] portant du 18, et ces hommes sont des artisans. On veut accelerer[sic] [accélérer] le retour (d'après la demande de Tippo[sic] [Tipu] Sultan même) et epargner[sic] [épargner] sur la depense[sic] [dépense] qui a été jusqu'ici excessive. 1°. Une gabarre quelconque ne seroit[sic] [serait] pas aussitot[sic] [aussitôt] armée que la frégate. Il faudrait auquelle en retardant le depart[sic] [départ] ou quelle rejoignent M. de Macnemara[sic] [Macnamara] dont les relaches[sic] [relâches] doivent etre[sic] [être] tres[sic] [très] courtes. Vous me faites cette observation vous même. 2°. La marche de deux batiments[sic] [bâtiments] n’est jamais aussi eleve[sic] [élevée] que celle d’un seul. Les Ambassadeurs usent et abusent de ce qu’on fait pour eux, ils demandent sur tout objet et sans bornes, ils en ont usé de meme[sic] [même] à l'égard des provisions. L’aurore[sic] [L’Aurore] ne portait assurement[sic] [assurément] pas cinq cents moutons et trois mille volailles vivantes. Il n'y a qu'à en diminuer le nombre sauf à suppleer[sic] [suppléer] dans le relacher[sic] [relâcher]. A[sic] [À] leurs deux parents pres[sic] [près], leur suite est composée de gens d’un état peu considerable[sic] [considérable], à qui leur religion permet de manger du ris[sic] [riz] [et] des legumes[sic] [légumes]. Que la Thetys[sic] [Thétis] parte, d’autant que lorsque vous recevrez ma reponse[sic] [réponse] elle sera prete[sic] [prête] M. le Comte d’Hector à Brest
[Page two] à mettre à la voile, et vous verrez qu’en mer tout s'arrangera. j’ai été malade depuis huit jours. Daignez excuser la brévité de ma réponse, et agreer[sic] [agréer] les assurances de l’attachement sincère avec lequel j’ai l’honneur d'être, Monsieur le Comte, votre très humble et très obéissant serviteur.
La Luzerne [Signature]
Archivist’s Translation: [Page one of letter and translation] Versailles, this 29th of October 1788. I had already discussed, Count, with Monsieur de Macue-mara[sic] [Macnamara], the demand of a second ship, a demand which had been made previously by the embas-sadors[sic] [ambassadors]. He knows that the King’s intention is, to give only one. The embassadors[sic] [ambassadors] and their suite have said themselves on arriving, that they had been perfectly comfortable on board of the little corvette, “l’Aurore.” There will be as passengers only about twenty more Frenchmen on the Thétys, a frigate carrying 18 guns, and these men are artisans. One wishes to accelerate the return (according to Tippo[sic] [Tipu] Sultan’s
[Page two of translation] own demand) and to lower the expense, which until now has been excessive. 1o. No kind of a lighter could be armed as soon as the frigate. It would be necessary either to delay her departure or make her join Monsieur de Macueamara[sic] [Macnamara] who stays but very shortly in each port, you yourself have made this observation to me. 2o. The speed of two ships is never as great as that of one alone. The embassadors[sic] [ambassadors] use and abuse of what is done for them, they demand every thing[sic] [everything] and their exactions are without limit. They have acted in the same way about the provisions.
[Page three of translation] The “Aurore” surely did not carry five hundred sheep and three thousand fowls, all alive. That number must be lessened and supplies can be obtained wherever they stop. Excepting their two relatives, their suite is composed of persons of no great importance, whose religion permits them to eat rice and vegetables. Let the Thétys start, the more so[sic] [moreso] as, when you will receive my answer, she will be ready [Page two of letter] to sail, and you will see, that once on the high seas, every thing[sic] [everything] will arrange itself. I have been ill for eight days. Please excuse the short-ness of my answer, and
[Page four of translation] accept the assurance of the sincere attachment with which I have the honor, Count, to be your very humble and very obedient servant La Luzerne. To the Count d’Hector at Brest
Creator
Repository Details
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84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu