Pondicherry, Autograph Letter Signed by French captain Alexandre Mathieu de Bargeton, 1778

Pondicherry, Autograph Letter Signed by French captain Alexandre Mathieu de Bargeton (1726-?), correspondent of Rousseau, Lorient 1778, mentioning British corsairs and possible capture of Pondicherry.

1 letter (11 pages).
14 December 1778, Lorient, France. Letter from "Le Ch^er de Bargeton" [Chevalier de Bargeton]. There are notes from a former owner that the author could be Alexandre Mathieu de Bargeton (b 1726), however the dates do not match because according to genealogical records, he died in 1772. The letter tells the story of "two children who appeared in Rheims in August last year", who actually are Pierre Lousteau, child born out of wedlock, to Pierre Lousteau from Salise (Bearn, France), and Edme Bertrand from Rugny (Burgundy, France); and Genevieve Sarrasin, daughter of Charles Sarrasin, from (Nonancourt and Verneuil, Normandy, France). They both had ran away from their respective homes, where they were mistreated. Genevieve had been dressing as a man in order to travel, and had been admitted as a musician in the Regiments des Dragons. The author of the letter goes on to say the mother and aunt of the children have asked him to help returning them, however he cannot assist because he is "waiting for funds" he should have received as an inheritance from his deceased uncle who was living in India. The ship that carried part of the money was captured by an English privateer, and additionally Pondicherry was taken by the English, which means he will not receive the rest of the inheritance. He also mentions a "Madame" and "Mademoiselle" Desboves, and talks some more about the French maritime losses against by the English. He then write down a vaudeville song that circulates about this topic. Finally, he congratulates the recipient of the latter for his "establishment as a "Conseiller" ("councillor" or "counsellor").

Notes by Alfred Stumpff:

Transcription included in the file? No.