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French Merchants and American Revolution, 1777

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American Revolution

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American Revolutionary War Discussed by French Merchants


November 26, 1777, Autograph Letter Signed "de Crespin," in French, from Haiti, Discussing the war Raging to the North including Saratoga, Very Fine.
This is an original, fine-content Revolutionary War letter, 4-page integral sheet, each page measuring 9.5" x 7.25", to "Cap Francois" [Haiti], dated Nov. 26, 1777, written in French to Messrs Debrissai & Nording. This historic letter, in which French merchants discuss the war between the British and the American colonists, reads in part:
"...The affairs of the Americans are in the best possible state. The news from Boston from the 2nd November assure us that after the affair of the 13th October that took place between General Gates, American, and General Burgoyne where the latter was wounded and lost a great part of his army, the Royalist general has been forced to surrender himself and his won consisting in about 6,000 prisoner of war. The army under the command of General Howe does not enjoy happy days, news from Baltimore near Philadelphia on the 1st of this month announce that if General Howe does not succeed in breaking through Chevaux de Frise that the loss of his army will follow, finding himself enveloped in Philadelphia by considerable line that General Washington has formed cutting him by these means all communications of the rations by sea, as well as by land, we can count on this news, they are confirmed by several shipped arrived, we consider here the Royalist army utterly destroyed... the Americans I think will be able to undertake with success the conquest of Canada at the opening of the next campaign..."
De Crespin was fairly accurate in his account of Saratoga, but the news concerning Howe's position at Philadelphia was overstated. De Crespin mentions that American ships arriving in Haiti "...are bringing much tobacco, rice, indigo, flour, wood, and they keep on drawing canvas... wool, wines and they have been forbidden to charge any war powder and other ammunition..." Though France delayed joining sides with the Colonists against the British, news of Saratoga would help convince the King of France to enter the war, and by this time France was already moving troops overseas: "We have been announced 12,000 troops for our colonies, 6,000 for the Iles du Vent and 6,000 for this one with those already in garrison..." Fine-laid paper with normal folds, light toning, with mounting remnants on the back of one edge, otherwise a very presentable, excellent content letter.



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