Maritime.- De Grasse (Comte F.J.P., Marquis de Grasse-Tilly) Memoire du Comte de Grasse, sur le Combat Naval du 12 Avril, 1782, first edition, half-title and drop-head title, 8 folding engraved battle plans, later black morocco-backed marbled boards, [Sabin 28333], 4to, Paris, [Privately Printed], [c.1782 or 1783].

⁂ A fine copy of this rare privately printed apologia which describes the Battle of the Saints, the last sea battle of the American War of Independence, and named after the small group of islets between Dominica and Guadeloupe. In March of the previous year de Grasse had outmanoeuvred Graves off Chesapeake to prevent the relief of Yorktown. But in the Battle of the Saints (12 April 1782) de Grasse and his fleet (including Louis-Antoine de Bougainville in l'Auguste) were thrown into confusion when Rodney (with a rear division under Hood) broke through the enemy line of battle in an unconventional tactic for the day. De Grasse managed to return to France, to find himself heavily criticised for the disaster. In this account he produces evidence, including the finely detailed battle plans, to be laid before the Council of War exonerating himself and laying the blame on others. It was distributed to those thought interested in his defence, which was ultimately successful, the Council acquitting him with honour.