Letter signed "Bougainville", "à bord du Majestueux en rade de Brest, 12 janvier 1791", to Monsieur [Le Coq l'Esprit?]. Translation: "Sir, I have the honour of addressing to you the memorandum for the Cross of Saint Louis of M. L'Evesque [?], captain in the 2nd [battalion] of the 16th regiment, embarked on the [ship]. His detachment leaves on Friday for Rochefort, and as he may well have another destination, he begs you to kindly order that the cross be sent to him at Rochefort itself. I am with respect, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant, Bougainville." Bougainville led the first French circumnavigation of the globe (1766–69) and gave his name to the bougainvillea; in 1790–91 he commanded the fleet at Brest. Condition: foxing, light soiling, small edge chips.
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