Born Charles Eugene Gabriel de La Croix de Castries, Marshall of France and French Secretary of State of the Navy (1727–1801) whose stategies at sea led to French naval successes during the American Revolutionary War. DS, in French, one page, 8 x 12.5, July 14, 1781. Writing from Versailles. In full (translated): “Lord Larcher has been sent back, Monsieur, to Europe by the administrators of Ile de France (a Parisian administrative region) as a man suspicious of making a pact of with the English. As he has sojourned in India, and that he appears to invoke your support, I ask you to inform me what you think of this, and if you believe that his conduct merits the suspicions that we have about him.” Creasing, intersecting folds, moderate staining, and a small hole to lower blank area not affecting text, otherwise very good condition. RRAuction COA.
