Jules Dumont d'Urville. L.A.S. to Louise... - Lot 237 - Conan Belleville Hôtel d'Ainay

Jules Dumont d'Urville. L.A.S. to Louise de Croisilles. With a dense writing. Rade de Toulon, aboard the Suffren, April 5, 1811. 4 pp. in-4. On paper with a double watermark of Napoleon "Great Emperor and King" and of the French Empire with the imperial eagle. Magnificent and long letter recounting the experience of his first naval combat, in which, teeming with anecdotes about his feelings, memories and life as a naval officer, he gives himself over completely. He expresses all his joy as Louise's feelings finally come together with his own. Then he evokes his life as a sailor. "Since the last time I wrote to you, we have had a small skirmish with the enemy squadron, the details of which you may be pleased to learn. Having learned that two of our frigates the Amélie and the Adrienne from Genoa were on their way to Toulon, our general had us sail with 13 ships and one frigate to facilitate their entry and support them against the attacks of the enemy who could easily cut them off. We had set sail at 9:00 am ½, at 10:00 am we saw our frigates; we were then at two places of the enemy squadron strong of 14 ships in addition to 5 others five or six leagues away. One of their advanced ships threatened to cut off our frigates, but one of ours, which was within range of him, forced him out of the way and turned him over. By eleven o'clock the frigates had rallied, so the enemy's head was within range. The fire began with our frigates, and there were several rounds of fire from the advanced ships on either side. But at last, just as we were about to begin firing, the English, leaving the daring and even imprudent character which characterizes them at sea, abandoned us, set sail again and let us return quietly in good order. It is certain that if the Englishman had wished, this affair could have become very bloody and perhaps decisive, but what can we do?