Name/Title
Nouveau Voyage dans l'Amérique Septentrionale, en l'Année 1781Description
ROBIN, Claude C. Nouveau Voyage dans l'Amérique Septentrionale, en l'Année 1781; et Campagne de l'Armée de M. le Comte de Rochambeau. Philadelphia and Paris: Chez Moutard, , 1782. 1s ed. ix,222pp. HOWES R-361. Clark I:298. "The Abbe Robin, who came as chaplain with the French troops to America, tells of his observations and experiences in a series of letters beginning in Boston, June 14, 1781. They marched south that summer, and the southern portion of his travels begins in Baltimore in September...He wrote favorably of Baltimore's fine location and rapid growth, and commented upon the Acadian community there. Since there were not enough transports at Head of Elk to carry all the army to Virginia, some went partway by land, including Robin. He was much impressed by the plantations in Maryland and the opulence and culture of Annapolis. At the end of September he sailed from Annapolis to the James River and disembarked near Jamestown. He described Williamsburg briefly and mentioned Professor Charles Bellini of the College of William and Mary. He commented on the agriculture and commerce of Virginia, the population, white and black, and the treatment of slaves. Some of the flora and insects interested him, especially the caterpillars and spiders he chanced to see. After the surrender of the British, Robin on November 6 described the battle of Yorktown, the siege, surrender, and destruction of property, writing from the camp at Yorktown. About a week later he made a lengthy comparison between Burgoyne's military tactics and problems in the campaign of 1777 and Cornwallis's in 1781, in favor of the latter. The final letter of November 15 is a review of events in the colonies leading to the Revolution, with reflections on the resources and outlook of the American people" - Clark.Other Names and Numbers
Other Number
HOWES R-361. Clark I:298Condition
Notes
Contemporary speckled calf, gilt-ruled raised spine bands, red morocco spine label, all edges gilt-chamfered. A fine copy.