Recommending his Yorktown map maker - photo 1

Recommending his Yorktown map maker

Lot 153
27.01.2023 10:00UTC +00:00
Classic
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$ 35 280
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUnited Kingdom, London
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ID 887931
Lot 153 | Recommending his Yorktown map maker
Estimate value
$ 20 000 – 30 000
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph letter signed ("Go:Washington") as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, to François-Claude-Amour, Marquis de Bouillé, Newburgh, 23 March 1783.

One page, bifolium, 320 x 200mm. Separate transmittal leaf addressed in Washington's hand to "His Excelly The Marquis de Bouillé, Lieut. General of the Armies of the France & Comg His Majesty's Troops in the West Indies", 87 x 205mm (folded) with intact wax seal.

Washington recommends the services of Jean Baptiste Gouvoin, the French engineer who oversaw the digging of the allied trenches at Yorktown and produced Washington's personal map of the siege, among numerous other accomplishments. Written only a week after his eloquent words put down the Newburgh Conspiracy, Washington leverages his way with words to assist one of several French military engineers sent to North America at Franklin's behest in 1777.* Washington opens, "Tho’ a stranger to your Person, I am not so to your Character—of the last, I have the honor to Rank myself amongst the first of your Admirers." Assuring Bouillé of his sincerity, he introduces, "Monsr. Gouvion; a Colonel in the American Army of distinguished abilities, and of whose intelligence, bravery & Zeal, I have had the most unequivocal proofs.–" Washington follows with a flattering close, "On whatever Expedition your Excelly may embark, & in whatever Enterprises engage, my warmest wishes shall attend you.— and if it be possible, that you may encrease that Military fame which at present is so high—"

This was among three letters of introduction Washington wrote for Gouvion who not only saw to the digging of some of the critical trench works at Yorktown, also produced Washington's important, contemporary manuscript map of the siege.[1] Jean Baptiste Gouvoin (1474-1792) was born to a royal counselor and studied at Mézières becoming an engineer in 1771. He departed Nantes in March 1777, landing first in Santo Domingo before continuing to North Carolina. Commissioned a major of engineers in November, Gouvion designed and supervised the erection of many of the fortifications at West Point as well as Verplanck's Point and implemented important repairs to Fort Schuyler. In a letter to Gouvoin, written shortly after the British surrender, he admired his "indefatigable perseverance in the most valuable services—his Decisive judgement and spirit of enterprise have been conspicuous on all occasions—particularly in the late siege of York—where the opening of the Trenches, the commencement of the second parallel—a very important lodgement in two of the Enemys works that were carried Sword in hand, and their connexion with our attacks—were committed to him—and executed under his orders with that energy and precision which constitute the great Engineer."[1a] A founding member of the Society of the Cincinnati, Gouvoin retired from the Continental Army as a colonel in October 1783.

On his return to France, Gouvoin was commissioned Lieutenant colonel in the French army, and the following year he became a Knight of St. Louis. Active in revolutionary and well-known to the Marquis de Lafayette, he was appointed a major general in the Parisian National Guard in August 1789 and soon rose to the rank of inspector-general of the 17th division. In 1791 he was elected as a deputy for Paris in the National Assembly serving in the military committee. In 1792, he resigned his government post to serve in the army, serving under Lafayette and was killed in action at Maubeuge the same year.
Place of origin:USA
Auction house category:Letters, documents and manuscripts
Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
8 King Street, St. James's
SW1Y 6QT London
United Kingdom
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13.01.2023 – 27.01.2023
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