Travels in North-America, In the Years 1780, 1782, and 1782

Two volumes: xv+462 pages with two folding maps; xv+430 pages with three folding plates. Octavo (8 1/4" x 5 1/4") bound in original full leather with black and red labels to spine, lettered in gilt. translated from the French by an English gentleman, who resided in America at that period ; with notes by the translator. Translated by G. Grieve, Watt and Sabin ascribe the translation to J. Kent. (Sabin 12229) First Irish edition.

Chastellux was a military officer who served during the War of American Independence as a major general in the French expeditionary forces led by general Comte de Rochambeau. Being on general Rochambeau's staff for the duration of the war, Chastellux acted as the principal liaison officer between the French commander in chief and George Washington. However the Chevalier de Chastellux was also widely recognized, at the time of his campaigns in America, as a highly talented man of letters and a member of the French Academy. After arriving in America in July 1780, Chastellux participated to the American Revolutionary War as Major General in the French expeditionary force led by general Rochambeau. During the following year, he was third in command of the French forces engaged at the decisive Siege of Yorktown in 1781 where the British were ultimately defeated. Major General de Chastellux was fluent in English and with his strong ideological support of the American cause, he served the alliance well. During the latter part of the campaign he was the principal liaison officer between George Washington and French general Rochambeau. Thereafter, Chastellux remained a personal friend of George Washington for life. Furthermore, the College of William and Mary and the University of Pennsylvania also awarded Chastellux with honorary degrees. After his return to France, Chastellux also remained in contact with Thomas Jefferson, now the American representative in Paris, whom he had previously visited on his Virginia estate at Monticello.

Condition:

Title page clipped at top corner, first fold out map repaired, map edges repaired, hinges repaired, previous owner's names on front paste downs and content pages else a good set.