UNITED STATES WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. PHILADELPHIA (America) Ma - Lot 248

UNITED STATES WAR OF INDEPENDENCE. PHILADELPHIA (America) March 7, 1777. Letter signed "Matthias Alexis ROCHE DE FERMOY, General Commandant les Troupes des États-Unis de l'Amérique." Friendly letter, in French, to a Commandant, giving him news of the American War. Superb 2-page folio: "Mon cher Commandant. I would be failing in the perfect friendship I have always had for you, if I didn't give you some news. This is the fourth letter I have written you since I have been in this country, without having received any news from you. I have been here for six months on the approval of Monsieur d'Argoux, Commander of Martinique; I will tell you that the English are taking from us every day ships which are destined for Saint-Pierre Miquelon, or which have left our Colonies for France. They treat the prisoners they take from us with the utmost cruelty; they do the same to the unfortunate Canadians whose property they have seized; it is reported that there are more than 30,000 men in that country, many of whom come every day to our Camp to ask me when their good King will be able to deliver them from their slavery; I even learn from travelers that if four Vessels of the Line were to enter the river, all the inhabitants would take up arms. The English Army commanded by General HAW, which on advice was 35,000 men, is now reduced to eight thousand and has not yet been able to give us a battle, nor to conquer half a Province, having always avoided a general affair, and making day and night war on them, as I did under the orders of the Marshal of SAXE, LOWENDAL (sic L'Orinda), the Count of ST GERMAIN and the Prince of CONTY. I will also say that the soldiers of this country are better than those of Europe, but that they lack good command, due to the novelty of their officers, who nevertheless promise to equal their enemies in the future. We are currently raising one hundred Regiments, either cavalry or infantry, which will be ready in a month's time, and will be opposed to the 50,000 Russians whom the English say they expect to help them. We currently have Manufactures of gunpowder, cannon fuses, cannonballs, and all kinds of small arms. I hope, my dear Commandant, that you will continue your friendship with me and that you will always show the same kindness to my son. Please tell him that if he goes to Paris, he will act with the Minister and the Prince de CONTY, to whom I had the honor of writing this day, and of recommending him to him."