DE MORAS (François-Marie Peirenc). - Lot 235

DE MORAS (François-Marie Peirenc). Minister of the Navy from 1757 to 1758. L.S. "Demoras", addressed to Count Duguay. Versailles, April 26, 1757. 2 pp. folio. Interesting administrative letter concerning the integration into the French Navy of two Swedish volunteer officers who came to serve in Brest at the beginning of the Seven Years' War. The Minister informs his correspondent that the King has authorized Messrs. de Stierneros and Cederström, Swedish naval officers, to serve as volunteers in the French Navy: "Le Roy ayant bien voulu agréer M. de Stierneros et de Cederström officiers suédois, pour servir à Brest comme volontaires dans sa Marine..." De Moras asked that they be employed "according to their rank" as soon as they arrived in Brest, and attached a detailed biographical note designed to enable them to be assigned "more appropriately". The second page contains these handwritten notes. In it, the Minister recalls the military career of Stierneros, son of a Swedish lieutenant-general, active in the navy since 1742, having served in the Mediterranean and then commanded a galley transporting troops to Finland. He also underlines Cederström's qualities, "full of ardor for his profession, and zeal for the King's service". This document illustrates Franco-Swedish military relations in the mid-18th century, as well as the Royal Navy's use of experienced foreign officers during naval preparations for the Seven Years' War. A fine, well-preserved piece of ministerial correspondence from the Ancien Régime, of real interest for French maritime and diplomatic history.