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Collection Reference Number GLC04322.02
From Archive Folder Documents relating to quarrel between French naval officers 
Title Memoire du Roi pour servir d'instruction particuliere a M. le Cte. de Grasse [in French]
Date 8 June 1780
Author Sartine, Antoine de, comte d'Alby (1729-1801)  
Recipient Grasse, François Joseph Paul de Grasse, comte de  
Document Type Military document
Content Description Copy of orders sent to Admiral de Grasse. Orders state that he is to replace Comte de Guichen as the French naval commander. Also state that he is to remain in Newport, Rhode Island and protect the French squadron under Rochambeau. By the time de Grasse had received these orders he had already returned to France with Guichen. He quickly returned to America, and later played a vital role in the American victory at Yorktown. This copy was most likely intended to be distributed to de Grasse's subordinates.
Subjects Revolutionary War  Military History  France  Navy  Global History and Civics  Foreign Affairs  
People Sartine, Antoine de, Comte d'Alby (1729-1801)  Grasse, François Joseph Paul de Grasse, Comte de (1722-1788)  
Place written Versailles, France
Theme The American Revolution; Foreign Affairs; Naval & Maritime
Sub-collection The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information Antoine de Sartine, comte d'Alby, was the French Minister of the Navy. François Joseph Paul comte de Grasse was a French Admiral who served under Comte d'Estaing during the American Revolution. Comte de Grasse and his fleet played a decisive role in the pivotal American victory at Yorktown. After arriving from the Caribbean they took control of the Chesapeake Bay and cut off any attempts to escape by sea. On 12 April 1782 at the Battle of the Saintes he was defeated by the British fleet under Admiral Rodney and taken prisoner.
Copyright The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Related documents Copie de la lettre ecrite par M de Sartine a M. le Cte de Grasse [in French]