Mémoire historique et politique sur La Louisiane, par M de Vergennes, Ministre de Louis XVI, Accompané d'un Précis de la vie de ce Ministre, et suivi d'autres Mémoires sur l'Indostan, Saint-Domingue, la Corse et la Guyane.
Paris: Chez LePetit jeune, libraire, An X.- 1802. Engraved portrait frontis, xxiv, [25]-315 pp. (with half title). Sm. 8vo. Contemporary speckled calf, gilt title and decoration on spine, marbled endpapers. First edition. A very good copy, rebacked with original backstrip laid down, edge wear, some leaves browned, occasional minor dampstain. Sabin 98971. Streeter III: 1573. Howes V74. Raines: 208. Brunet IV: 14019. Item #37282
Includes six items covering: Louisiana (and Canada), p. [25]-181; India (l'Indostan), p. [183]-228; Haiti (Saint-Domingue), p. [229]-239; Corsica (Corse), p. [241]-251; Guiana (Guyane), p. [253]-272; and "Lettre de M. le chevalier Turgot, a M. le duc de Choiseul. Paris, le 10 octobre 1765", p. [273]-300, with each section having separate half titles except for the last. Vergennes was a French diplomat serving as Foreign Minister from 1774 during the reign of Louis XVI, who helped to conclude a treaty with the American Colonies. The first section on Louisiana and Canada was probably written about 1777, published only after France had reclaimed Louisiana but shortly before its acquisition by the United States. Much interesting material on both New France and Louisiana. A few sources argue the work was not by Vergennes.
Price: $850.00