Louis Phélypeaux, comte de PONTCHARTRAIN (1643-1727) ministe - Lot 375

Louis Phélypeaux, comte de PONTCHARTRAIN (1643-1727) minister, comptroller general of finances, he directed the Navy and the King's Household, and was Chancellor of France. L.S., Versailles July 3, 1697, to Comte d'Estrées; 6pages in-fol. tied with a blue silk ribbon. Encrypted letter, deciphered in the line spaces, to Comte d'Estrées who commands the French squadron in the Mediterranean, and who is laying siege to Barcelona. The situation must be brought to an end quickly, lest it become more complicated: "There can be no doubt that the enemies will not diligently advance into the Mediterranean the ships they had originally intended only for their escorts". According to information the King received from England, warships, frigates and a large convoy could be on their way, along with eight Dutch vessels. "It is nonetheless to be hoped that you will not be obliged to remain in Barcelonne for much longer. Vous scavez que le Roy s'est remis a vous [...] et que Sa Majesté vous a permis de vous retirer aussy asst que vous jugerez pouvoir estre rejoint par des forces superieures aux vostres"... Attached are a L.A.S. from Louis-Joseph duc de VENDÔME, December 26, 1688; and a P.S. from Henri de MESMES, Paris, September 13, 1616.