VAUGIRAUD DE ROSNAY (Pierre-René-Marie de). Signed as major - Lot 59

VAUGIRAUD DE ROSNAY (Pierre-René-Marie de). Signed as major of the squadron of the Comte de François-Joseph de Grasse. "À Bord de la Ville-de-Paris" [in La Martinique], December 12, 1781. One p. folio, letterhead printed with the name and functions of the Comte de Grasse illustrated with his woodcut coat of arms; framed under glass with reproductions of a scene and a ship. "M. de Vivier's health does not allow him to continue his services on the Jason, so he is ordered to transfer to the Solitaire to perform the duties of his rank under the orders of M. de Cicé, and to replace M. Levassor de Beauregard...". These are the Navy Guards Arthur Charles Marie Du Vivier de Fay Solignac (lieutenant in 1782 and captain in 1814) and François-Samuel Levassor de Beauregard (lieutenant in 1782 for distinguishing himself during the Hudson Bay expedition), as well as Captain Louis-Toussaint Champion de Cicé (squadron leader in 1784). AMIRAL DE VAUGIRAUD DE ROSNAY (1741-1819) began his career as a naval officer in 1755, and was promoted to captain in May 1781. He played an important role in the American War of Independence, performing brilliantly as major of the squadron commanded by Comte de Grasse: aboard his ship Ville-de-Paris, he took part in the battles of Fort Royal (April 1781), Tobago (May 1781), Chesapeake Bay (September 1781, a victory which led to the successful siege of Yorktown), Saint-Christophe (February 1782) and Les Saintes (April 1782, where he was taken prisoner with the Comte de Grasse). Once freed, he continued his career, notably in La Martinique, but emigrated during the Revolution, taking part in the Royalist landing at Quiberon in 1795. Promoted to vice-admiral in 1814, he returned to La Martinique as governor.