[ENGLISH & CONTINENTAL MANUSCRIPTS]. ROCHAMBEAU, Jean-Baptise, Comte de (1725-1807). Autograph letter signed ("Le Comte de Rochambeau") to unnamed officer dated 18 January 1771.

1 page on bifold with integral addressed leaf and intact red wax seal, creased, small hole from wax seal. Provenance: Acquired Goodspeed's Book Shop, Boston (Fall 1986 catalog item 97.

In this letter Rochambeau tells an officer requesting to be considered for an honorary cross for military that (here in translation) "this year it was refused to an excellent officer of my acquaintance, who had been serving since January 1747... But if you are determined to leave after 15 years of service...blame yourself and this same resolution if you cannot realize the reward which the King has decided cannot be given except after 25 years in service."

A veteran of the Seven Years' War with England and briefly placed in charge of planned a land invasion after France declared war on the British in 1780, Rochambeau was dispatched to North America later that year to lead the French forces. During the Battle of Yorktown he combined his troops with those of the Marquis de Lafayette, ensuring the surrender of General Cornwallis.