Interesting collection of autograph signed letters containing notes on personal, political and maritime matters, written by the French Grand Admiral Comte Laurent Jean François Truguet (10 January 1752-26 December 1839), knight of the Grand-Cross of the Legion d'Honneur.
In 1765 he entered the Navy and took part in numerous battles in the service of the Ancien Regime. Major de Vaisseau from 1784, he cooperated on the tasks assigned to M. Choiseuil-Gouffier, ambassador to Constantinople, and was charged with instructing the Ottomans in the arts of fortification, artillery, naval architecture, etc. As an enthusiastic Republican, he supported the Revolution and was promoted to the rank of rear admiral in 1792. He bombarded Nice, Villefranche and Oneglia. Visiting Corsica, he was received by the Bonaparte family and began a romance with Elisa, sister of the future emperor. In 1804 he took a public stand against the establishment of the Empire in a letter that became historic. This consigned him to five years of severe disgrace. In 1809, however, the Emperor recalled him and gave him the command of the Kingdom of Holland's navy. After the fall of the Empire Truguet returned to Paris where Louis XVIII brought him back into the navy at the head of the naval corps. On the second restoration he was given overall command of the Brest fleet. At the end of the July monarchy, Truguet was elevated to the post of Grand Admiral, the highest naval honour.
Important collection in good condition. NBG XXXXV, cols. 680-682.