Bidspirit auction | ALEX MARIE, PRINCE DE MONTBAREY

ALEX MARIE, PRINCE DE MONTBAREY - (1732-1796) French statesman, Minister of War (1777-1780) during the American Revolution. He opposed the declaration of war against England, prophetically stressing that support and encouragement of the American colonies in their fight for independence would pose dangers for the absolute monarchy in France. Fine content, war-date A.L.S., 3pp. legal folio, Versailles, Oct. 6, 1779 in French to a French military official (Count de Laugerdue?) regarding military preparations at Brest. Although the letter is not fully translated, it appears as if Montbarey is dealing with a few issues simultaneously, including reinforcing the garrison at Brest, preparing for a possible land invasion of Great Britain, and the supply of ships bound for America and India. The letter reads in part: '...The King having been forced between the years 1778 and 1779 to pull out of the garrison of Brest the necessary detachments for the eventuality of his naval army being obliged to break off or a least halt the fortification works of Brest and her responsibility: her environs, and the province of Brittany, the crowds of the state, majors of regiments which have supplied to the embankments; his Majesty having felt the drawbacks, wanting to see to the quantity of troops demanded by the department of the sea for the King's garrisons of the vessels at the front...which will be outfitted by the navy for this effect...not outfit any detachment without composing a corps of eight thousand men...the preference for the garrison is to supply the ships destined for America...' In 1778 and 1779, France assembled land forces nearing 50,000 for a planned invasion of Great Britain which was particularly vulnerable at the time, since it could barely muster a home army of 10,000. Usual folds, otherwise fine condition.