BAUDIN (Charles) - Lot 230

BAUDIN (Charles) Paris, 1784 - 1854. French naval officer, admiral and politician. L.A.S. "Ch. B." addressed to M. René. [S.l.n.d., January 22]. 1 page, in-8, with a surname on verso. Interesting autograph letter concerning the maritime magazine La Flotte and the succession to the Annales, testifying to the intellectual and administrative networks of influence in the naval world under the July Monarchy. Baudin informs his correspondent of the excellent disposition of the Count of Montebello towards La Flotte: "...Mr de Montebello is in the best of dispositions towards La Flotte..." He adds that this support has just been confirmed with Girette, a member of a commission charged with examining the question of the succession to the Annales: "...He expressed them this very morning to Girette, who is a member of a commission charged with examining what should be done with the succession of the Annales..." The admiral added that he himself intended to intervene favorably with this commission: "...I will take care to give the other members of the commission an impetus favorable to the interests of the Fleet." A fine illustration of the links between maritime administration, the specialized press and political networks in the mid-19th century. Charles Baudin's autograph signature at the bottom of the letter, with handwritten inscription on verso: "Monsieur d. René". Charles Baudin was one of the great French naval officers of the 19th century. Maritime Prefect, Member of Parliament and then Minister of the Navy under the Second Republic, he played an important role in the evolution of the French navy in the era of steam navigation and the development of the specialized maritime press.