1740 French Navy signed Admiral DUBOIS de la MOTTE

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1740 party-printed French Shipping document (untranslated~would appreciate translation) believed to be signed by Vice-Admiral Emmanuel-Auguste de Cahideuc, Comte Dubois de la Motte (1683-1764) De la Motte, entered the navy as a midshipman in 1698, and received his first command (of the privateer ship Argonaute ) in 1708. Following a promotion to sub-lieutenant, he fought at Rio de Janeiro in 1711. The peace which followed the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 caused a reduction in the number of ships in commission; as a result, Dubois de La Motte had a long period of service ashore at Brest . Promoted lieutenant-commander on 17 Aug. 1727, he was made captain on 1 April 1738. He cruised off Ireland in 1744 and conducted 3 successful campaigns in the West Indies in (1740–1741, 1745, and 1746). In the last campaign his skilful manoe uvres ensured the safe arrival in France of the 163 merchant ships for which he was responsible. The Seven Years’ War was to give Dubois de La Motte new opportunities to distinguish himself. In 1755 he received command of the Entreprenant and a squadron of 15 ships of the line and four frigates, with which he was instructed to take help to Canada . He sailed from Brest on 3 May and reached his destination, but on 10 June two of his ships, the Alcide and the Lys , which had been separated from the squadron by fog, had been attacked and captured by Edward Boscawen’s fleet, although war had not been declared. Dubois de La Motte left for France on 15 August, and to elude the enemy he daringly sailed all his vessels through the Strait of Belle Isle , a route which no king’s ship had ever taken. Thanks to this adroit manoeuvre, the return voyage was without mishap. On 25 Nov. 1755, promoted lieutenant-general of the naval forces, and at beginning of 1757 given command of a squadron of 9 ships of the line and 2 frigates to reinforce the defences of Louisbourg. A rrived on 19 June, soon received additional strength in the form of 5 ships of the line and a frigate from Saint-Domingue under Joseph de Bauffremont, and 4 ships and 2 frigates from Toulon under Joseph-François de Noble Du Revest. Dubois de La Motte with this concentration of forces at his disposal was able to deploy before the citadel such an intimidating defense that the English squadron under Francis Holburne did not dare attack, and on 24 September it was scattered by a gale. Lack of supplies and a typhus epidemic prevented de La Motte from pursuing the English fleet and forced him to return to France . He left Louisbourg on 30 October and reached Brest safely on 23 November, landing about 5,000 sick men there. His activity had delayed the fall of Île Royale by a year. Dubois de La Motte’s active naval career was ended, but in September 1758, when the English landed near Saint-Malo , he went there despite his 75 years and took part in the battle which repulsed the enemy. He had been made a knight of the order of Saint-Louis on 17 Dec. 1718, commander on 1 Sept. 1752, and knight grand cross on 4 July 1761. On 13 Dec. 1762 he was promoted vice-admiral. An expert seaman, a daring, methodical, and thoughtful leader, Dubois de La Motte was one of the finest figures in the French navy of his time. Document measures approximately 5-1/4" x 8-3/4", writing is bold, moderate toning, show true from ink on verso. Anyone wishing additional scans please email at: Michael A. West a nd Zachary T. West a/k/a Timelion are members of the UACC and The Manuscript Society. Buyer to receive Bill of Sale with lifetime guaranty of authenticity to the amount of purchase. Certificate of authenticity will not extend to signature as being that of Admiral de la Motte as we have no examples in which to compare to. This item will be shipped by First Class Mail so Buyer must add $2.50 to winning bid which. We accept PayPal, but prefer personal check. No credit cards or any other type of payment service. Manner of payment and shipping for international bidder to be determined at conclusion of auction. read more

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