- Collection Overview
- Collection Description & Creator Information
- Access & Use
- Collection History
- Find Related Materials
Expanded View
Collection Overview
- Creator:
- Bertrand-de-Molleville, Ant.-Fr. (Antoine-François), 1744-1818
- Title:
- Bertrand de Moleville Counterrevolution Papers
- Repository:
- Manuscripts Division
- Permanent URL:
- http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/fq977v53b
- Dates:
- 1805
- Size:
- 1 box and 0.2 linear feet
- Storage Note:
- Firestone Library (scamss): Box 1
- Language:
- French English
Abstract
Consists of manuscripts and related material regarding Bertrand de Moleville's proposals to the British government for invading France and Spanish America. The marquis de Bertrand de Moleville was a nobleman and navy minister in the French Constitutional Cabinet. He urged Louis XVI to flee Paris and was accused of being one of the "Austrian Committee," the shadowy circle accused of anti-revolutionary plots. He emigrated to England in 1793.
Collection Description & Creator Information
- Scope and Contents
The collection consists of manuscripts and related material regarding Bertrand de Moleville's proposals to the British government for invading France and Spanish America. Included is a manuscript (1805) in English detailing a plan for a counterrevolution to recapture France from Napoleon Bonaparte and return the monarchy and King Louis XVIII to the French throne. Bertrand de Moleville gives details of where the soldiers of the army should come from, how much the expedition would cost the king of England, and how it should be executed. He suggests to the British monarch that the army capture the Ile d' Oléron which would present very little resistance, from there to capture the Ile de Ré́ and the Ile d' Aix, and finally to enter the French mainland at Rochefort.
The collection also contains manuscript material regarding Bertrand de Moleville's secret plans for an invasion of Spanish America, establishing an independent Mexico: his cover letter (in French, dated 2 January 1805) conveying the proposal to British government official Jonathan McArthur, requesting that he forward the material to Lord Melville, First Lord of the Admiralty; the four-part plan (in French); and an English précis of the proposal with McArthur's recommendation (7 January 1805) to Melville.
- Arrangement
Arranged by country.
- Collection Creator Biography:
Bertrand-de-Molleville, Ant.-Fr. (Antoine-François), 1744-1818
The marquis de Bertrand de Moleville was a nobleman and navy minister in the French Constitutional Cabinet. He urged Louis XVI to flee Paris and was accused of being one of the "Austrian Committee," the shadowy circle accused of anti-revolutionary plots. He emigrated to England in 1793.
Collection History
- Acquisition:
Invasion of France manuscript was the gift of Chas A. D. Burk in 1909 .
Invasion of Mexico material was purchased from William Reese Co. in 2011 (AM2012-29).
- Appraisal
No materials were separated during 2011 processing.
- Processing Information
This collection was processed by John Delaney on 2011 September 30. Finding aid written by John Delaney on 2011 September 30.
Access & Use
- Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
- Conditions Governing Use
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
- Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
- Credit this material:
Bertrand de Moleville Counterrevolution Papers; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library
- Permanent URL:
- http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/fq977v53b
- Location:
-
Firestone LibraryOne Washington RoadPrinceton, NJ 08544, USA
- Storage Note:
- Firestone Library (scamss): Box 1
Find More
- Subject Terms:
- Counterrevolutionaries -- France -- 19th century -- Manuscripts.
Counterrevolutions -- France -- 19th century.
Counterrevolutions -- Latin America -- 19th century.
Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815 -- History -- Sources. - Genre Terms:
- Manuscripts, French -- 19th century
Proposals -- 19th century. - Places:
- France -- History -- Invasions -- 19th century.
Great Britain -- History, Military -- 19th century -- Sources.
Mexico -- History -- Spanish colony, 1540-1810 -- Sources.
