.S14 ^•^ .^^ "o^-^ .0^. ^^. '^, "^^^ ^kmr'^^rS^ '^ n^ ?* "'*-.; ^»«^\s^^ . ^ V ^^^ ;i^KIC^ /^ .*^ ,0- -^^, .^^^>. ^o. ^^^^ V A^ :l '^^ * O . ^ %^"- ^0' ,^■1°. C ' '- ^^i^^\ V ^^ ^-^• ' • °. o. . M :: r: ^^% "^5 •' • * s - <- [JUtAi/py*^*^**'**^^ SEINATE No. 336 Commcnruealtl) of illassacljUBCtte. Sexate, April 28, 1905. The committee on Libraries, to Avhom was referred the petition of Prentiss Cummings for legislation relative to a iiemorial of the Chevalier de St. Sauveur, an officer in the French fleet, who was killed in an aflray in the streets of Boston in the year 1778, report the accompanying statement and resolve. [ The Resolve may he found on page 6".] y^-^ MAY 10 1905 D.ofD. KEPOET. This report relates to an incident which occurred in the town of Boston in the State of Massachusetts Bay a little over a century and a quarter ago. Boston then contained less than 10,000 people, and the State not far from 300,000. The town had seen the last of the Royal Governors, and the evacuation of the British troops under Lord Howe had taken place two years previ- ously. It was at the tide-turning of the revolution, and the people were in the restless condition consequent upon the sudden chanofes of fortune which had befallen the merchants, and the inequalities of life resultant upon war and its dis- turbed relations. The general fortune of the war of the col- onies for independence was at its lowest ebb, when the dark night and terrible sufferings of Valley Forge were followed by the dawn of the French alliance, which was celebrated in camp on the 6th of May, 1778. The first fruit of this alliance was the arrival in the Bay of Delaware on the 8th of July, after a rough voyage of nearly ninety days from Toulon, of a French fleet of twelve ships of the line and three frigates, under Vice- Admiral Count D'Estaing, ready to co-operate with the States in the reduction of the British army and navy. This fleet also brought Gerard de Rayneval, the first French ambassador to the United States. D'Estaing sailed northward, interrupt- ino^ a few vessels bound for New York, and intendins: to sail up New York Bay and ofler battle to the British ; but his ships were so large that the pilots would not take them through the channel, and the fleet was sent by Washington to co-operate with General Sullivan in the attempt to capture the island of Rhode Island, and appeared oft' Newport on the 29th of July, forcing the British through fear to destroy several of their armed ships and galleys. 4 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. Maj. Gen. John Hancock was at the head of the Massa- chusetts troops which had been sent to co-operate with the other land forces under General Sullivan in this campaign. This expedition failed partly through misunderstandings between the land and naval forces, but more especially by reason of the danger to the French fleet by a hurricane. The admiral's flagship — the «'Languedoc" — lost its rud- der and masts, and the "Apollo," to which the flag w^as shifted, could not keep to sea, and D'Estaing sailed to Bos- ton for repairs and supplies. While the country had palpitated with joy at the alliance with France, this failure of the first eff*ort of the French fleet had a depressing eftect upon the people at large, and the popular welcome in Boston was not over-demonstrative. General Sullivan even censured D'Estaing, and insinuated that the French alliance was futile. It was at a moment when there was great possibility of endangering the alli- ance, — a fact which the public authorities fully recognized; and General Hancock hastened back from Rhode Island to extend the most generous hospitality to the officers of the French fleet, and, in co-operation with General Heath, who was the military commander in Massachusetts, to receive D'Estaing and his officers with every official as well as social courtesy. A superb entertainment was given the French officers in Faneuil Hall, and it is said that forty of them dined at General Hancock's table ever}^ day. The admiral acknowledged their courtesies by an entertainment on his flagship, — the " Languedoc." During the stay of the fleet in Boston a most unfortunate incident occurred, and one which, in the inflammable state of the populace, might have had far-reaching international results. Of this the authorities on both sides seem to have been fully aware. The matter was treated with great con- sideration and diplomacy, and in the way least calculated to arouse public interest. From the meagre and varying accounts it appears that upon the evening of the 8th of September an afi*ray occurred in the streets of Boston which resulted in the death of one of the officers of the fleet. It seems that a number of sea- 1905.] SENATE — No. 336. 5 men, whether British prisoners on parole, privateersmen or Americans, it is not quite clear, demanded bread of the French bakery employed for the supplying of Count D'Es- taing's fleet, and, being refused, fell upon and beat the bakers. Two of the count's officers, Monseigneur Count de St. Sauveur and M. de Pleville, had endeavored to quell the riot, and were both wounded, the Chevalier de St. Sau- veur receiving a mortal blow over the right eye, from which he died seven days after. The Chevalier de St. Sauveur, First Chamberlain of His Royal Highness Monseigneur Count d'Artois, brother of His Majesty the King of France, was a lieutenant of the eighty-gun ship '^Tonnant," the Count de Breugnon, chief of squadron, as aid, with rank of major, an officer immediately under the chief; he was also the brother-in-law of Breugnon. The oifenders were, it appears, never discovered, though a reward was ofi'ered for them by the government. Count D'Estaing was much grieved at the event, but treated it with great calmness and good sense. The matter does not appear as an item of news or subject of current comment in the newspapers of the day. It appears, however, from the records and official communica- tions hereto appended, that General Heath at once wrote a letter to the Council, commending the affair to its serious consideration, expressing his uneasiness and sense of the danger, and asking that every measure be taken to detect the perpetrators and insure protection in the future. At the same time General Heath wrote to Count D'Estaing, express- ing his regret, and giving assurance of his friendship for the count and his officers and men. To this letter Count D'Estaing replied in the most cordial terms expressing his confidence in the authorities. The Council, which was then the chief executive authority of the State, immediately appointed a committee to investi- gate the circumstances of the riot, and issued a proclamation promising a reward of three hundred dollars for the discovery of one or more of the rioters. The Chevalier de St. Sauveur died on the 15th of Septem- ber, and the next day the General Court passed a resolve 6 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. appointing Col. Thomas Dawes a committee to provide a monumental stone to be placed in the burial ground where the remains should be deposited, with such inscription as the Count D'Estaing should order. This action was ac- knowledged m a letter of grateful appreciation by the count, and it appears from the log book of the *' Languedoc," the admiral's flagship, that an inscription was prepared as therein set forth, and copies ordered to be furnished to each ship in the fleet. The General Court voted to attend the funeral, but it appears that it was deemed best that no public display should be made, and in the night Avith simple and unostenta- tious rites the body was placed in a tomb under the " Chapel of the King," which is supposed to be the strangers' tomb underneath the porch of King's Chapel. Here the known history of the matter ends ; but there can be no reasonable doubt that it was intended at some time to erect a suitable monument, and that this intention was never carried out. The rapidly moving panorama of the closing years of the war, the formation of new State and federal governments, the French revolution which followed shortly after, were all calculated to divert attention on both sides of the water from a matter of this kind. Indeed, there was so much secrecy about the whole transaction that the deaths of comparatively few people sufiiced to leave it forgotten ; and between the years 1800 and 1900 was probably an interval of nearly a century during which no person was living who ever heard of it. Recent publications in France and in this country have called attention to the event, but this report is the first connected account of it ever published. In war and in peace Massachusetts keeps her promises. Here is an event filled with uncertain and distressing possi- bilities at the time, which, in the more comprehensive view of the present, had the matter not been disposed of to the entire satisfaction of the French oflficers, might have ended the French alliance, and changed materially the subsequent history if. not the results of the war of the revolution. Yorktown might never have been a lustrous, historic name. The State had failed in its primal duty to keep the public peace ; the death of a French officer of distinction had been 1905.] SENATE — No. 336. 7 the result. All the reparation possible at the moment was made. The omitted or forgotten detail should be supplied, and to this end the committee recommend the passage of the accompanying resolve. In conclusion, the committee cannot forbear to express their thanks to the State Librarian for his labors in examin- ing the original documents appended hereto, and preparing the foregoing report. Appended hereto are such documents of an official char- acter as have been discovered relating to the affair, and accounts of the incident from various sources. SILAS D. REED, PRENTISS CUMMINGS, WILLIAM A. BURNS, Of the Senate WILLIAM L. ADAMS, HENRY W. BROWN, MAURICE J. POWER, DAVID P. KEEFE, PORTUS B. HANCOCK, JAMES BARR, GEORGE H. STEVENS, JOHN J. BUTLER, Of the House. CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUYEUR. [Apr. CammontoeaitI) of illaeBactiiiBetla. In the Year One Thousand Nine Hundred and Five. RESOLVE Respecting a Memorial to Chevalier de St. Sauveur. 1 Resolved^ That the president of the senate, the speaker 2 of the house, and live citizens to be appointed by his 3 excellency the governor be a committee to serve without 4 pay during the recess, and report to the next general 5 court such action as shall seem to them appropriate to 6 carry out, at least in spirit, the promise implied in a 7 resolution of the general court of Massachusetts Bay, 8 passed September sixteenth, seventeen hundred and 9 seventy-eight, respecting a monument and an inscription 10 in memory of Chevalier de St. Sauveur, an officer in the 11 fleet of Count D'Estaing, injured by persons unknown 12 in an affray occurring in Boston, September eighth, 13 seventeen hundred and seventy-eight, and who died here 14 in consequence September fifteenth, seventeen hundred 15 and seventy-eight. 1905.] SENATE - No. 336. IN^OTE This incident has been revived mainly through the research of Capt. A. A. Folsom of Brookliue, his attention having been called to it by Col. Chaille Long, one of the founders of the French Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and its delegate to the Congress of the S. A. R., which met in Washington in May, 1902. He was one of the commissioners appointed by the French Society of the S. A. R. to search tlie archives of the war, navy and for- eign affairs of the French government, to discover the names of the French officers, soldiers, sailors and marines who fought in the war for American independence, — a search which resulted in the publication by the French government of the valuable volume enti- tled " Les Combattants Franc^ais de la Guerre Americaine, 1778- 1783," a copy of which was presented by the French government to the State Library of Massachusetts. In the records of the marine he found the log book of Count D'Estaing's flagship, the " Languedoc," and therein the clue to this incident. He inquired of Captain Folsom in which of the Boston cemeteries the St. Sauveur monument was erected ; and the latter, who is a good deal of an antiquary, knew there was no such monument, and had never heard of the St. Sauveur incident. He was some three years in gathering together the papers relating thereto, and it was very recently that the fact was ascertained that the Chevalier was buried in King's Chapel. Three of the important exhibits annexed hereto were found and added by the State Librarian in preparing this report. 10 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. APPENDIX No. 1. Letter op General Heath to the Council. [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 200, pp. 72, 73, in Secretary's Office, State House. 1 William Heath to the Council of Massachusetts. Head Quarters, Boston, Sept. 9th, 1778. Gent^ A Disturbauce happened the last night in the Streets, between a number of French officers and a number of Sailors or Inhabit- ants which is a Matter of serious Consideration, and I am confi- dent will have all due attention from your Honors. An officer of Rank and distinguished Family in France is supposed to be mor- tally wounded. I can scarcely Express my uneasiness on this occasion, as I am apprehensive without the utmost exertions, our great & good cause will be Injured Irreparably. The Expressions uttered by many are truly Surprising, and it may be that those who wish to make a Seism at this Time may be blowing the Coal. Upon the first call for the Troops the last night the Rioters In- stantly Dispersed, and If the Strength of the Garrison in Town would admit of Patrols they might Happily prevent Confusion and mischief in future. I am now Interrupted by the Coming in of Count D'Estaing's Secretary and the Major of the Fleet. Their Uneasiness is great. Every Step Possible must be taken to Con- vince them of our Sincerity and attachment, or the Consequences may be the most disagreeable. I informed the French Gentlemen that I was writing to the Hon"^ Council and was Confident they would take every measure in their Power to detect the Villains and to afford Protection. I rest Confident that your Wisdom will direct to the Most happy measures. I have the honor to be With the Greatest respect Your obt. Humble Serv* W. Heath. 1905.] SENATE— No. 336. 11 ISTo. 2. [Council Records, Vol. 22, pp. 443-445.] [The proclamation was also printed in the " Independent Chronicle," Sept. 10, 1778, with the signatures of Jeremiah Powell, president, and John Avery, deputy secretary.] Wednesday, September d^^, 1778, in Council. On motion Ordererl that Benjamin Austin & Daniel Hopkins Esq""' be a Committee to examine one Mr. Sage respecting the Riot committed the last Evening in this Town or to inquire of him what he knows respecting the affair & report. On motion ordered that Francis Dana & Daniel Hopkins Esq*"^ be a Committee to draft a Proclamation calling upon all Justices &c to apprehend all persons concerned in the Riot committed in this Town the last evening & report, who reported a Proclamation which was read & accepted and is as follows, viz. By the Council of the State of Massachusetts Bay. A Proclamation. Whereas this Council have received information of a high handed aiFray or riot happening in this town, on the hist evening, wherein several persons have been badly wounded, & one or more, it is feared mortally so ; And whereas the names of the persons concerned therein are at present unknown ; & it being of the highest importance that such outrages should be prevented, & offenders therein brought to condign punishment, this Council have tho't fit to issue this their Proclamation, hereby requiring all Justices of the Peace, all Sheriffs & their deputies, & all civil ojSicers in their several districts & departments within the said State respectively to use their utmost endeavors for discovering, apprehending and bringing to Justice all such persons offending as aforesaid. And we do also hereby promise a reward of Three hundred Dollars to be paid out of the Publick Treasury of this State to any per- son or persons who shall inform against or discover any one or more concerned in these riotous & unlawful proceedings so that he or they shall be convicted. Given under our hand, at the Council Chamber in Boston the ninth of September 1778. In the name & behalf of th^^ Council President. By their Honors' Command. Ordered that one hundred Copies of the above Proclamation be printed & posted up in the several parts of this Town. Whereas a high handed affray or riot happened in this town the last evening by persons unknown & the Chevalier de Pleville commandant La Frigatte L'Engageante is very desirous of going with the Sheriff & his officers to apprehend the Rioters, There- 12 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. fore Ordered that William Greenleaf, Esq., Sheriff of the County of Suffolk be & hereby is directed to attend the said Chevalier de Plevflle with such aid & Assistance as he the said Sheriff shall think necessary — And to apprehend any person or persons sus- pected of being concerned in the aforesaid Riot & him or them forthwith to carry before some Justice of the Peace to be exam- ined & dealt with according to law. No. 3. Letter of General Heath to Count d'Estaing. ["Heath Papers," Vol. 2, p. 268, Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 7th series, Vol. 4.] William Heath to Comte D'Estaing. Head Quarters, Sept. yth, 1778. Sir.— A very unhappy affair happened in this town the last night between a number of Frenchmen belonging to your squadron and a number of American sailors. Which first began I cannot tell. But some French gentlemen hearing of it ran to suppress the dis- turbance, when two of them were much wounded. As soon as notice was received at ray quarters of the disturbance the guards were ordered out to suppress it, but the rioters had dispersed before they reached the place. I want words to express the un- easiness which I feel on this occasion. I, this morning wrote to the Council. They view the matter with indignation and are determined if possible to find out the offenders and make proper examples of them. Some of the hands belonging to the Marl- borough privateer are suspected of being concerned in the riot. Orders are sent to the Castle to stop her until the matter is fully inquired into. You cannot Sir, feel more displeasure and concern at this conduct than I do, and I can only assure you that nothing shall be wanting on my part to bring offenders to justice and to prove with how much sincerity I prize and vallue the friendship of your Excellency and the oflflcers and men of your squadron. lam this moment honored with the receipt of your favor of this day. I cannot yet obtain the particulars of the burning of Bed- ford. I expect them this night or tomorrow, when I will imme- diately transmit them to your Excellency. 1 have the honor to be, with the greatest respect. Your Excellency's most obd. serv*. W. Heath. His ExceP-"^ Count D'Estaing. 1905. j SENATE — No. 336. 13 No. 4. Reply of Count d'Estaing to Gteneral Heath. [" Heath Papers," Vol. 2, p. 269, Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 7th series. Vol. 4. The original is in French.] COMTE D'Estaing to William Heath. On the Roadstead of Boston, Sept. 10th, 1778. Dear Sir. I have the honor to thank your Excellency for the letter you had the kindness to write me yesterday & which has reached me this evening. It is with as much grief as confidence in your justice and in that of the Council that I have learned of the misfortune which happened night before last. The thing in itself has filled me with the deepest grief, which would have been increased had that been possible, on account of the '' personel " of the officers who were the victims. Our common enemies hesitate at nothing ; per- suaded that our union both national and private, render us invinci- ble, & that they must fail eventually there is nothing they will not try and the agents that they keep among you have only too many opportunities to execute their destructive orders. Imitators of those troops who burn defenceless villages, they secretly sow the seeds of discord & they know how to employ persons whom they may seduce or deceive. It is not against these last that I bring the complaints that I pray your Excellency to submit to the inspection of the Council. I should be inconsolable were a single inhabitant of the Metropolis of America to be punished for this fatal incident, if any have been misled by false insinuations which I do not believe. Their heart & their reason will now disavow their error, and I am persuaded that they will hate the more those who have led them astray. It is assuredly against the secret plotters of this event that the wis- dom of the Council will let fall all the weight of a just severity. I have counted so much upon the active foresight of the represent- atives of a free people that I have used no undue emphasis in the expression of my feelings. Some sailors many of whom are de- serters from the enemy like those said to be found on the Priva- teer Marlborough have proved no doubt suitable instruments to perform what has been done. The precautions which you have taken Sir, will perhaps bring to light a plot the real authors of which it seems to me are sufficiently well known. Public rumor already threatened them with a decision of the Council. Their perfidy will have merited it still more. I have charged M. le Chevalier de Borda, Major of the Squadron, 14 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. to put at the head of our bakery during the time it remains on land, a man who knows the language with orders to prevent re- sistance of any kind on the part of bakers whose bread should be taken. The lives of men are infinitely more important than the preservation of our flour, necessary as that is to us. The chief baker, a native of the country, can tell if they are Americans or traitors to their country who act in this way. In the first case we should only peaceably claim our property from allies so dear to us, but in the second we should look to your government to find proper reparation upon which I rely, I pray you, Sir, that if the police that a time of war may necessitate decides you to place a guard over the bakery, to give to this guard the same orders that our bakers have already had and to forbid especially that your sol- diers ever fire not even in repelling force by force but content themselves with peaceably protecting that which belongs to us and recognizing the evildoers. M. de Borda has already doubtless presented the request on my part. The uncertainty you are in regarding the movements of the English and of which, you have the goodness to inform me, pre- vents me from leaving the Roadstead and will deprive me to- morrow of the great pleasure of profiting by the kindness of his Excellency Monsieur the Honorable General Hancock. Will you kindly inform him of all this letter contains. Monsieur de Grand Clos can translate it. I have the Honor to be, with Respect, Monsieur, for your Excellency, Your very humble and obedient Servant, ESTAING. To His Excellency Monsieur the General Heath, Major General of U. S. troops of America and Commander in Chief at Boston. :n"o. 5. Extract from a Letter from General Heath to General Washington, found in the "Washington Collection" AT the Department of State at Washington. [Printed also in " Heath Papers," Vol. 2, p. 271.] The night before last an unhappy affray happened here between a number of American and French Sailors. Some French officers who were near the place attempting to quell the disturbance were much wounded one I fear mortally. The guards instantly turn'd out to suppress the riot but the Rioters dispersed before the guard arrived at the place. Every step has been taken to discover and apprehend the per- 1905.] SENATE — No. 336. 15 sons concerned and to satisfy the French Gentlemen who appeared much alarmed on the occasion and in particuhir that their Officers should be insulted & wounded. The conduct of the Council has been very spirited. The guards patroled the streets the last night to prevent further disturbance. The Count D'Estaing has assured me this day he is fully satisfyed the Inhabitants had no hand in the affra-y. No. (3. [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 219, p. 217.] State of Massachusetts Bat. In the House of Repkesentatives, Sept. 16, 1778. Whereas on the Evening of the 8th Instant in an Affray which happened in the Town of Boston, by high insults offer'd to some French Bakers by certain riotous Persons unknown the Chevalier de Saint Sauveur, in endeavoring to make Peace, received a wound in the Head which ended his Life on the loth, And as this Court hold in the highest detestation the Perpetrators and Abettors of this horrid Deed, and out of respect to the Memory of the deceased Resolved, That this Government will provide a monumental Stone to be placed in the burial Ground where his Remains shall be deposited, with such inscription as his Excellency the Count D'Estaing shall order. And this Court will attend in Procession the Corps of the de- ceased to the Place of Interment. Resolved, That Coll. Thomas Dawes be a Committee to see the Monumental Stone erected accordingly. Sent up for Concurrence. John Pickering, Spk'' In council, Sept. 16, 1778. Read & Concurred. John Avery, Dp. Secy. Consented to Jer. Powell. Dan'l Hopkins. B. Greenleaf. a. Fuller. Jedidiah Preble. N. Gushing. T. Gushing. Sam^l Niles. Jabez Fisher. Joseph Simpson. B. White. Jno. Pitts. H. Gardner. Josiah Stone. Moses Gill, 16 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. No. 7. Letter from Count d'Estaing to the Council. [Massachusetts Archives, Vol. 200, p. 103.] Boston Road, 19th Septr. 1778. Sir. Permit me to entreat your Honour to be the Instrument of ex- pressg. the Gratitude of all the french who are with me, & to make their respectful Homage acceptable to the Council of State of Boston is a favour which I have the honour to ask in their Name. The resolution which had for its Object the misfortune that hap- pened to the Chevalier de St. Sauveur, adds nothing to the entire persuasion we all lay under of the Sentiments of the Council of State, our attachment, & Circumstances announced them to us, & their Goodness hath Confirmed us in the same ; the striking proof they give of their Indignation, of their Justice & of the Interest they take in the fate of an officer distinguished by his zeal & by his personal qualities is just & right in order to augment the Devo- tion & Inclination for the common Cause, which is so deeply en- graven in our hearts : What the Council of State hath deigned to resolve & their Sentiments thereupon are the funeral flowers most acceptable to the memory of a Gentleman who having the honor to hold a considerable post in the Royal family, was sure to acquire new rights from his Sovereign's Bounty, in Sacrifising his Life for America, & who falls a Victim to the desire he had of preserving the Lives of Others, expressed in his last words, & in his last moments was intent upon What he presumed the most suitable means for a general union which nothing shall weaken & that his misfortune & his blood which has been shed may only serve as he most earnestly wished it might to cement it still more. I have the honor to be with profound respect Sirs, Your Honors most humble & most obedt. Servt. ESTAING. In Council Sept. 21, 1778. Reed. & Sent Down. JoNA. Avery, Dep. Secy. 1905.1 SENATE — No. 336. 17 No. 8. Extract from Letter of General Washington to General Heath, Sept. 22, 1778. [ " Heath Papers," Vol. 1, p. 95, Massachusetts Historical Society Collections, 5th series, Vol. 4.] I ani pleased to hear by a letter from General Greene, of the 16th, that the affray mentioned in yours of the 10th has terminated in such a manner as to convince the French gentlemen that no public harm or insult was intended by the people of the town of Boston. All possible means should now be taken to cultivate harmony between the people and seamen, who will not be so easily reconciled as their officers, not having so much sense to direct them. No, 9. Extract from Gordon's "History of the War of Independ- ence." [3d American edition. Vol. 2, pp. 394-396, in a letter dated Roxburr, Nov. 12, 177S.] In the evening of the 8th, there was a violent affray at Boston between certain unknown persons and a number of French. It is said, though not proved, to have been begun by seamen captured in British vessels, and some of Burgoyne's army, who had enlisted in privateers just ready to sail. A body of these fellows, we have been told, demanded bread of the French bakers employed for the supplying of the count d'Estaing's fleet; and being refused, fell upon and beat them in a most outrageous manner. Two of the count's officers, attempting to compose the fray, were wounded, the chevalier de Saint Sauveur so badly that he died on the 15th ; and the next day the Massachusetts house of assembly resolved to erect a monumental stone to his memory. None of the offend- ing persons having been discovered, notwithstanding the reward that was offered, it may be feared that Americans were concerned in the riot ; while political prudence charged it upon others, that less umbrage might be taken at the event. The count was much grieved ac what had happened ; but had too much calmness and good sense to charge it upon the body of the inhabitants, who were no less concerned at it than himself ; so that it created no dissentions between them. On the 22d, the general court received the compliments of the count and his officers ; all of whom were invited to dine, three days after, at a public dinner. The fleet had been so far repaired, and so well secured by formidable works 18 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. on George's-IslaDd, in which the count had mounted near a hun- dred heavy cannon, that they could with the utmost propriety be absent upon the occasion. For the greater security, the general court, under an apprehension that the British fleet and army might move to the northward, with a view of destroying the count's fleet, and repossessing themselves of Boston, had resolved on the 19th to raise a third of the militia. Three days before this re- solve, admiral Byron arrived at New-York from Halifax. His squadron had suffered so in their voyage from Britain, that it was a full month before he could sail again, in order to observe d'Estaing's motions. The count lay at ease and in safety ; and on the 26th of October, entertained a large company of gentlemen and ladies whom he had invited to dine with him on board the Languedoc. The entertainment was highly elegant. A full length picture of gen. Washington, presented to the count by Mr. Hancock, was placed in the center of the upper side of the room, and the frame of it was covered with laurels. The count having made this public return for the personal civilities he had received from numbers secured himself from all liableness to detention by points of honor ; from a threatened detention of another nature, he had been happily relieved in season. It was generally ex- pected from the scarceness of provisions of all sorts at Boston and the neighborhood, that he would have encountered great diffi- culties, if not actual distress. The impracticability of victualling his fleet at that port was dreaded, even the subsisting of it was doubted. — But he was freed from these apprehensions by a singu- lar fortune. The New-Eagland cruisers took such, a number of provision vessels on their way from Europe to New-York, as not only supplied the wants of the French, but furnished an overplus sufficient to reduce the rates of the markets at Boston. This sea- sonable supply occasioned great triumph among the inhabitants. The count being in hope of sailing within a few days, published a declaration to be spread among the French Canadians, and ad- dressed them in the name of their ancient master the French King. — The design of it was to recall their affection to the an- cient government and to revive all the national attachments of that people, thereby to prepare them for an invasion either from France or America, and to raise their expectations of no distant change of masters. Admiral Byron having repaired his fleet, ap- peared off Boston bay ; but had not cruised there long before he was overtaken by a violent storm, in which the ships again suf- fered so much, that they were glad to get into shelter at Rhode- Island. The Somerset of 64 guns not being able to clear Cape Cod, run ashore and fell into the hands of the Bay-men who saved 1905.] SENATE — No. 336. 19 her guns and many valuable articles. When the storm ended, the wind settled in the north-west, and blew fair for carrying the French fleet to the West-Indies. Count d'Estaing seized the op- portunity, and sailed from Boston [Nov. 3,] with his ships thor- oughly repaired, clean, and well victualled, and with his forces in full health and vigor. The behaviour of the French officers and sailors, the whole time that their fleet lay in port, was remarkably good, far beyond any thing of the kind ever before, when several men of war were present. The count made a point of always lying on board at night. The officers conducted with the greatest regularity and decorum ; but noticed a certain coolness in the gentlemen and ladies toward them, which was imputed to the want of so cordial an affection for France as what they had once entertained for Great-Britain, and had not wholly laid aside ; but it was greatly owing to the successless expedition against Rliode-Island, and to what had been related concerning them respecting that affair. The common sailors were peaceably inclined ; and engaged in no quarrels excepting what has been related, and one at night of October the 5th, in no wise material ; and in neither of these do they appear to have been the aggressors. — They neither abused nor injured the town's-people ; nor made themselves a nuisance by their excesses and disorderly conduct. ^o. 10. Extract from the Log Book of the "Languedoc." In the Log Book of the "• Languedoc," 94 guns, 1,160 men, flag- ship of Admiral Count d'Estaing, there is an account of a night attack by Tories in the streets of Boston. Lieutenant St. Sauveur and Pl^ville, informed, hurried to the rescue ; waylaid and beaten by clubs, left for dead ; M. St. Sauveur, grievously wounded, died of his injuries Sept. 15, 1778. The following inscription, placed upon his monument by order of the Boston Council, appears in the log: "This monument has been created in consequence of a resolution of the State of Massa- chusetts Bay, the 16th Sept., 1778, in memory of Chevalier de St. Sauveur, First Chamberlain of His Royal Highness, Monseigneur Count d'Artois, brother of His Majesty, the King of France. Tliis officer. Aide Major of the French fleet, and Lieutenant de Vaisseau of the ' Tonnant,' after having had the glory of risking his life for the United States, was in the performance of his duty when he became a victim of a tumult caused by the evil minded. He died 20 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. with the same devotion for America. The ties of duty and sym- pathy which bind his compatriots to the City of Boston have thus been drawn tighter. May all the efforts which may be attempted to separate France and America end thus. Such is the prayer which in the centuries to come all Frenchmen and Americans will offer to the Almighty, whose eyes shall fall upon this mausoleum of a young man taken from his friends, who may be consoled at his loss in seeing such funeral flowers spread upon his tomb. This inscription proposed in Council by the Count d' Estaing, command- ing the first squadron sent by the king of France to his allies, has been engraved on this stone by order of Colonel Thomas Dawes, nominated for this object by the Government." — Friday, Sept. 28, 1778. The Admiral directed that all his fleet captains have copies made of the inscription on the tomb of M. de St. Sauveur for the information of the ships' crews. No. 11. Extract from the "Gentleman's Magazine." [London, VoL 48, p. 546.] On the 23d of September a desperate riot happened at Boston, occasioned as it is said, by the bakers denying bread to the captured seaman in British vessels, while they were employed in amply supplying those in the fleet of Count d'Estaing. Several were killed in this affray, and two French officers of high rank were much hurt in endeavoring to quell it. The magistrates have since published a proclamation, offering a reward of three hundred dollars for the discovery of any of the ringleaders. ISTo. 12. Extract from the " History of the Marquis de Lafayette." [Hartford, Conn., 1851, p. 71.] The conduct of the French officers, and even common sailors at Boston was truly exemplary. But this extreme circumspection did not prevent the occurrence of a violent affray between some Americans and French, which resulted in the death of the Chev- alier de Saint Sauveur. The selectmen of the town, to allay the resentment of the French, showed themselves very solicitous to punish the offenders, and declared that the tumult was fomented by English sailors who had been made prisoners, and deserters 1905.] SENATE — No. 336. 21 from the army of Burgoyne. Tranquillity was restored ; the Count D'Estaing made no further inquiry into the affair; no offender was discovered; and the government of Massachusetts decreed a monument to be erected to Saint Sauveur. No. 13. Extract from Letter of the Comte de Breugnon, Oct. 10, 1778. [Stevens's Facsimiles of Manuscripts in European Arcliives relating to America, Vol.23, No. 1974.] A great misfortune has happened to me. Monseigneur Count de St. Sauveur, my brother-in-law, being in Boston by order of Count d'Estaing, three leagues from tlie vessel " le Tonnant," working at the provisioning of the squadron, a number of soldier- bakers quarrelled there with the Americans. Count de St. Sau- veur and M. de Pl^ville went to them to put an end to the riot, and when they were both coming away, fifty rascals flung them- selves upon them ; my brother-in-law received a mortal blow with a stick over the right eye, of which he died seven days after. All the Commanders and the Governors of the country were distressed at it, and have added to what Count d'Estaing did me the honour to say to me all that it was possible to do to express real regret at such a fatal occurrence amongst them. I have the honor to be with profound respect, Monseigneur, Your very humble and very obedient servant Breugnon. ^o. 14. Extract from "French Sailors and Soldiers in Amkrica DURING the War of Independence of the United States, 1778-1783," BY VicoMTE de Noailles, Paris, 1903, p. 46. [Translation.] On the 8th of September a bloody fight occurred in the port of Boston, in which M. de Pleville as well as the Chevalier de Saint- Sauveur were wounded. "Yesterday evening at ten o'clock" writes the Chavalier de Borda to the Comte d'Estaing on the 9th of September, "a quarrel occurred between the Americans and some of our sailors and soldiers which resulted most unfortunately. MM. de Pleville and de Saint-Sauveur who had gone there to quiet 22 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. the disturbance were wounded." The latter was very seriously wounded. These two oflScers had rushed bravely to the assistance of their countrymen whom they believed to be in danger. Investigations were instituted but without result. In brief, Saint-Sauveur died on the 15th of September. The American authorities showed themselves very uneasy as to the con- sequences of his death. General Hancock and the Town Council proposed to give him a grand funeral, but this offer was declined, and the interment took place without pomp in the vault of a chapel that Dr. Cooper had procured. "The generals and prin- cipal personages of the town are very much displeased, but it is to be hoped that they will be pacified," says a witness. Hear the account of this doleful ceremony exactly in accordance with the last wishes of the deceased : *' Eight sailors of the ' Tonnant ' bore the coffin on their shoulders," says M. de G-randclos (secretary of the Royal Squadron). "I preceded them, with the sexton and grave-digger; the Recollet (a Franciscan monk), MM. de Borda, de Puysegur and Pierveres followed ; the body servant of the deceased, and perhaps two or three Frenchmen, closed the proces- sion ; we started in this order at ten o'clock, and arrived at the church, called the Chapel of the King, found the basement of the church illuminated with many candles, without ostentation. The vault was opened and the Reverend Father deposited the remains without ceremony ; the door of the vault having been closed and padlocked, we returned to sign a certificate of inter- ment which I had already drawn up. In fine, what we had been charged to do could not have been done with more precision and exactness." Could one read anything more cold and lugubrious ! What a sad end for a young officer ! The 26 and 27 September the French sailors were again subjected to the ill treatment of the Americans in Boston. By these rather prolonged details we have wished to give a clear idea of the state of feeling which existed after this affair which at that time took such astonishing pro- portions. ISTo. 15. Extract from " La Marine Militaire> de la France sous le Regne de Louis XVI, par G. Lacour-Gayet, 1905," pp. 171-173. Immediately on his arrival in Boston, d'Estaing manifested an astonishing activity. Fearing with good reason that he might be pursued, he wished at least to avoid surprise. One of the good anchorages in the roadstead of Boston is Quincy Bay commanded 1905.] SENATE — No. 336. 28 by the island and bay of Nantasket, situated farther to the east. Three vessels only, the " Languedoc," the '^ Marseillais " and the " Protecteur," which were in urgent need of repairs, anchored at Quincy Bay ; the nine others remained in Nantasket waters. The frigates, retired into the harbor itself, were almost entirely dis- armed ; their crews and equipments were for hours employed in the fortification of a vast intrenched camp. Three positions were occupied, commanding Quincy Bay : the very narrow peninsula of Hull which forms the western point of Nantasket; George's Island, which is occupied today by a strong fort, and Lovell's Island ; behind this. Gallop's Island was also put into a state of defense. Bougainville, Broves, Chabert, d'Albert de Rions occu- pied these various positions ; bristling with mortars they formed a very solid whole. Supported by these batteries, the nine vessels of the squadron who had suffered the least were arranged in a semi-circle in the roadstead of Nantasket; from a distance, says d'Estaing, they presented " the most imposing order." Mounted upon the '' Cesar," the admiral was ready to repulse any attack. On the 31st of August, only three days after their arrival in Boston, when these defensive preparations were being carried forward with a feverish activity, the English squadron was sighted in the distance. To the Americans, who were disposed to take but little account of the dangers encountered by the ships of d'Estaing, this was nothing but a myth. But the next day, September 1, it was seen to be really Howe's fleet, now from sixteen to eighteen sails strong ; it had been reinforced by a part of Byron's squadron. The prep- arations for receiving them were not completed, but everyone was at his post. The English showed themselves in the offing, with- out approaching even within cannon-range. They considered the position too well guarded to be attacked, too dangerous even to be blocked ; one of their vessels, the Saint-Alban lost her anchors upon Cape Cod, to the south-east of Nantasket. They did nothing but show themselves and disappear. After their departure, the work on the fortifications was continued ; the fleet was very soon protected from any surprise, and it was able at last to enjoy a few days in security. This stay in Boston, however, which lasted a little over two months, was far from being a season of idleness. To procure masts and provisions in a country almost without resources ; to treat with the government of Boston which was ill-disposed toward the Frenchmen on account of the pretended abandonment of Rhode Island : such a difficult task demanded no less than pro- digious activity on the part of the Chevalier de Borda, the unlim- 24 CHEVALIER DE ST. SAUVEUR. [Apr. 1905. ited devotion of all the officers and the greatest diplomacy of d'Estaing. It is difficult to give an idea of the tremendous work accomplished in a few weeks, of putting into good order this squadron which had left Toulon imperfectly prepared, and which had never been revictualled since its departure. A tragic incident came near making the situation of the French very difficult. A bakery had been established on land to provide fresh bread to the troops. Excited by some English sympathizers the Boston populace attempted to plunder it. A lieutenant of the ship " Tonnant," the Chevalier de Saint-Sauveur, interposed to quiet the tumult and for this intervention he paid with his life. Another officer, Pleville Le Peliey, was severely wounded. The State of Massachusetts hastened to express to the admiral its sin- cere regrets; by a decision of September 16, it ordered a monu- ment to be erected to the unfortunate officer. In order not to provoke any counter-manifestation, d'Estaing had caused the body of Saint-Sauveur to be interred at night; the Chevalier de Borda alone had represented the squadron at this sad ceremony. Wishing to banish'these unhappy recollections, the government of Boston gave a grand banquet to the admiral and officers of the squadron on the 25th of September. The reception was very cor- dial ; there were toasts to America, to France, and to innumerable other persons and things. The first toast of the Franco-American alliance was perhaps hardly in conformity with the protocol ; but its very exuberance was symbolic of the cordiality existing be- tween the sailors of Louis XVI. and the militia of Washington. 'V .0 ^^^ ^y^^^.' .^^ cv. ^ .0^ > >. ^^ S ^iW< ^ c '^^■■. o V 4 o ^o -*:^T*^ .'^ ^o ^^'^^ C- r> .4 /. c°^ •*-c ►°--. ■^o u>'i<. SEP 7 5 'o^^ ,,.^v^.^- .<^^ v^^ O >