Special Collections Research Center

Scope and Contents

Letter written on December 4, 1781 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Baron de Watergeul Boom to "Mon Cher Ami" concerning celebration on board French ship after Yorktown Campaign. He writes poetry about the party, particularly talking of bachelorhood. Baron de Watergeul Boom may be a pseudonym. Includes poem with classical allusion which is annotated. Original letter is written in French, but English transcription is included.

Scope and Contents

Letter, 1781 December 11, Francois Anselme de Saint-Victor, York in Va. to [?] d'Eyroux [d'Eiroux] Pontevez [Ponteves], Simiane, France. 1 p. ; 7 1/2 cm. Regrets the death of the recipient's son, [Marie Jean Balthazar d'Eiroux Ponteves] in an accident and commenting that he was mourned by the entire regiment which had fought earlier in the Battle of Yorktown. Also mentions a debt of the son.

Scope and Contents Coat of Arms bookplate of John Randolph of Middle Temple London. Letter of John Randolph the Tory, from London, addressed to his Excellency Thomas Jefferson, Governor of Virginia, dated Oct 25,1779.  Friendship and difference of opinion, war news in Great Britain, danger of America using Spanish and French help in war, English Government, newspaper and libel and need to rethink war and all will be forgiven by Great Britain.  (Note:  letter probably never sent)....

Scope and Contents

Letter, 1781 April 4, to Lewis Morris. 2 p. ; 21 cm. Concerns military operations in Virginia, a delayed meeting in Williamsburg, and mentions Benedict Arnold, Nathanael Greene, and Henry Lee. Typescript also available.

Scope and Contents

Letter from the Marquis de la Lafayette, at camp near Pamunkey, Virginia to General Nathanael Greene. Lafayette writes about the defense of Richmond with 900 men against the British with superior numbers of 2,300 men; at Richmond was General Nelson with a corps of militia and General Steuben and Muhlenberg; enemy moved to Manchester burning warehouses; enemy retreated from Richmond to Osburns; since the enemy landed at City Point, no public property has been destroyed.

Scope and Contents Letter written in French from Williamsburg, Virginia, by J. Michel, Captain of the French vessel, Le Lion, which was loading tobacco in the James River to transport to Europe, dated June 26, 1778.  Michel returned from a voyage from L'Orient in the company of Le Vicomte de Vaux commanded by Pierre Donat. Le Lion was threatened by English vessels in the Chesapeake Bay, including the St. Alban and the Solbay. Michel had sailed to New London, Connecticut and back to Williamsburg where he stayed...

Scope and Contents Includes a couple of originals, copies prepared in the 18th century as well as typed transcripts of letters, 1782, of the Comte de Rochambeau concerning a variety of topics: seizures of blacks belonging to state of Virginia; reenforcements for French troops and acknowledgment of thanks of Williamsburg, Va. for French aid; a letter, 6 Sept, 1789, written while Rochambeau was commander of garrison at Strasbourg, France and dealing with riots (original and typed transcript); photostats of...

Scope and Contents

Photostats, 1776-1777 and n.d. of military papers of Philippe Charles Jean Baptiste Tronson du Coudray (1738-1777), French soldier of fortune in the American Revolution who was a Major General in charge of works on the Deleware, 1777; manuscript; and notecards about Tronson du Coudray made by Dr. Joseph E. Fields of Williamsburg, VA.

Scope and Contents

Photocopies of papers, 1777-1783, from the Washington Papers at the Library of Congress relating to Marquis de La RouÃrie known in the American Revolution as Charles Armand Tuffin. Includes "With Sword in Hand", an English translation by J. D. Hufham of the work published in France under title "Le Marquis de la Rouerie et la Conjuration Bretonne", by G. Lenotre.