Introducing a French volunteer and friend of Lafayette to Congress - photo 1
Introducing a French volunteer and friend of Lafayette to Congress - photo 2

Introducing a French volunteer and friend of Lafayette to Congress

Lot 13
22.04.2021 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 23 750
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 517659
Lot 13 | Introducing a French volunteer and friend of Lafayette to Congress
Estimate value
$ 10 000 – 15 000
HAMILTON, Alexander (1757-1804). Autograph letter signed ("Alex Hamilton") [to Elias Boudinot], [New] Brunswick, N.J., 5 July 1778. Recommending Louis-Pierre, Marquis de Vienne, a French officer who had been recommended by Lafayette.

Two pages, 215 x 165mm (light foxing). Matted and framed to reveal both recto and verso.

Hamilton introduces a new French volunteer to the American cause. A week following Monmouth, Hamilton takes a moment to oblige the Marquis de Lafayette by introducing a new French volunteer to Congress: "The Marquis de Vienne will have the pleasure to deliver you this, a Gentleman, I beg leave to recommend to your particular attention— He was introduced to me by the Marquis Delafayette, with the warmest recommendations —Though a young man, he has been a long time in service — I have seen him in the field and will venture to pronounce him a brave and intelligent officer. I am not well acquainted with his pretensions in our service, but as I dare say they will be reasonable, I shall request you will give him your interest." In a short postscript, Hamilton recommends that Boudinot introduce the Marquis to "Mr. G[ouverneur]. Morris as a Gentleman recommended by me."

Louis-Pierre, Marquis de Vienne (1746-1812) was a French officer, and one of many Europeans to volunteer to serve in Washington's army. A friend of Lafayette, de Vienne arrived at Washington's camp at Valley Forge a day before the British evacuated Philadelphia in the spring of 1778. Prior to the Battle of Monmouth was part of an advance party under Lafayette charged with reconnoitering the British camp, getting so close as to capture two grenadiers in the process. Impressed by his bravery, Lafayette and Hamilton recommended de Vienne to Congress who brevetted him a colonel in the Continental Army. He would serve under Sullivan at the Battle of Rhode Island and was later employed in carrying dispatches to d'Estaing commanding the French fleet. Wishing to continue the fight under his native banner, Washington granted him a discharge in October 1778 and he returned to France with d'Estaing. (See Lafayette to George Washington, 9 March 1784, fn 5, fn 17, The Papers of George Washington Digital Edition.) Mentioned, but only party transcribed in the Papers of Alexander Hamilton. Provenance: Edward Eberstadt (his sale, Parke-Bernet, 9 April 1968, lot 87).
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
08.04.2021 – 22.04.2021
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.