The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-02-09
A REVOLUTIONARY RELIC.


IOuFunN Oh an ANOe- uG-AAnn OF H0Gnnm1-
beau.
The Providence Journal describes an original
French manuscript now In possession OF MI. q.
y. Harris OF that city. 1t is the journal Of
French officer who served under Count de
Rochambeau, and bears the following title:-
''JourDal depuis mon depart de France rs Mars,
1871, iusq'au lS Novembre de la meme aimee
que Parmee aux orders de M. e CITE. de Rocham-
beau est entire dams ses Quarters d'niver.o
lJournal since its departure from France, tue
26th oi March, 1881, TO the 18th OF November OF
the same year, OF the army under the orders of
the Oompte de Rocham beau when it went into
winter quarterly 1t is handsomely written and
makes small folio volume OF 1l6 pages. In
1t are nine beautifully executed maps and
plans, some of Them four feet IN
length, as follows:-1. Map of the Island of
Rhode Island; l, 8, and 4. Maps of the route of
Rochambeau's army from Newport, through
Hartford to Fishkill: g. Camp on the North
river, near Dobb's Ferry, showing the positions
OF the French and American armies; 6. Map of
the country north of New York, embracing
Fort Washington, Harlem river and the yici-
nifty; Z. Morrsania, with portions of the East
river and Long Island; 8. Frogs Point and part
OF Long Island; 8. Plan OF West Point; 10. Plan
OF the Battle of Trenton; IL. Plan of the Siege
of New York, 17Sl. This valuable aud interest
ing manuscript was IN the celebrated Mason
Rtuf sac which took place in Paris on the 10Th
of January, in 1868, at which Mr.. Harris was SO
fortunate as TO secure it against the compet-
tion of several European libraries and collectors.
After spendiog few days in Boston and Cam.
he found the French troops encamped under
General Count de Rochambeau. Hts observa-
tions about Providence are very brief He calls
it n "beautiiul little town." with an extensive
commerce before the war. There is nothing
curious here, he says, but "a hospital OF the
greatest beauty.n The building alluded to was
doubtless the old, or northern, edifce OF Brown
University, which, at one period during the
Revolutionary war, was used for hospital. This
fine structure, so superior then to ali others IN
Providence, together with its beautiful situs-
tion, no doubt attracted the attention OF the
French officer.
From Providence the French troops COM
menced their march westward on the 18th OF
June. The first day they encampe1 near Water.
mans tavern and the second day reached Plain
field, which the writer says occupies "a superb
position" This officer seems to have an eye to
the position of every place he sees, with view
to its defense. The position of Wtndham he
but with Weathersfeld he was in ecstacies. The
houses there were fine, and in order to see the
adjoining country he went up into the steeple
OF the village church. He says he could see
the country for fifty miles around, and declares
1t TO be the most beautiful he had seen in Ame-
RIGA. The route from Providence to Fishkill,
with each days march, is laid down with great
precision. The army set out in single division,
until they reached Windham, when they formed
two divisions, and thus, from eight to ten miles
apart, in parallel lines, they marched to
the Hudson river. We will not follow the army
further.
The Journal says:-'' ''In addition to the journal
there are in the volume the following interest
ing papers:-A copy of the capltulation of York
town and Gloucester, In which event the French
army took part. A letter in relation to the
same from General Washington. Journal of the
Siege OF Yorktown, by M. de Menonvllle, Aide
Major General. Abstract OF the campaign of the
naval lorces, under orders of Compte de Grasse,
printed by his orders on board the Vile de
Paris. Construction of the American army, and
notes on the Constitution OF the thirteen United
States. The maps and plans are drawn with
care, and add greatly to the value of the journal,
which was doubtless prepared for General de
Rochambe himself IL is In its original red
Morocco binding, with the edge of the leaves
richly Rilded.
ave learn that there was great competition
for it at the sale, and that besides several
orders for the volume from the United States
The British Museum and other great European
libraries were ompetitOrs TOR 1t. We think our
townsman, Mr. Harris, showed much pldck in
carrying off the prize against such antagonists
1t is to be hoped that the manuscript may be
printed, accompanied by its maps"