AMERICA. 14 L.A.S. from M. de SAINT-JEAN, Le Havre, November - Lot 185

Lot n° 185
Go to lot
Estimation :
800 - 1000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 2 374EUR
AMERICA. 14 L.A.S. from M. de SAINT-JEAN, Le Havre, November - Lot 185
AMERICA. 14 L.A.S. from M. de SAINT-JEAN, Le Havre, November 14, 1776-December 18, 1777, to M. Le Cavelier in Caen; 28pages in-4, addresses (a few tears from broken seal). Interesting correspondence on the events of the American War of Independence. Saint-Jean, an employee of the Homberg trading house in Le Havre, writes to his cousin Le Cavelier, an "interpreter of foreign languages" and trader in Caen, giving news of the war in America as they arrive in France: "Do we declare it one day to the English in order to make peace the next, this is what occupies the leisure of every trader here" (March 12, 1777). The letters give news of the trade, which continues: "American commodities will certainly hold up at their current prices, except for coffee, which could decrease if we keep the peace" (March 26). In addition to coffee, prices for hemp, wheat, indigo, cotton, Marseilles soap, lumber, olive oil, etc., are mentioned, as well as transport difficulties and speculation. News of the war arrives mainly from London. Saint-Jean confirms the capture of Ticoderoga by English General Burgoyne, and believes that General Howe will "attack Boston by sea and land" (August 27 and 30). On September 3, we received "the news of the capture of Philadelphia by General Howe, if this is the case, we shall not delay in making him master of Boston, voila l'ouverture de la campagne bien defavorable aux Insurgens"; and we saw "a French frigate which had been loaded with cannonballs and cannons at Dunkirk pursued by two English ships, from which it was only saved by the strength of its sails and by receiving a few cannon shots". On October 14, we learn that "a packet bot has arrived reporting that General Howe has landed in Baltimore", that he is heading for Philadelphia, and that General Burgoyne is only 160 miles from New York. On December 11, Saint-Jean speaks of the bulletin sent by B. Franklin, and of Washington having "retired 40 leagues from Philadelphia to the plains"... Etc.
My orders
Sale information
Sales conditions
Return to catalogue