LIEUTENANT COMMANDER COMMISSION FOR MR. LE VASSOR DE LA TOUCHE, signed at Fontainebleau on October 6, 1768 by the Grand Admiral of France, Duke of Penthièvre Louis de Bourbon and "Louis" (secretary) for Louis XVI. 30277

MASTER'S WARRANT OF SHIP ENSIGN FOR MR. LE VASSOR DE LA TOUCHE, signed in Fontainebleau on October 6, 1768 by the Grand Admiral of France, Duke of Penthièvre Louis de Bourbon and "Louis" (secretary) for Louis XVI. 30277

Manuscript warrant on vellum, front and back.
Years of service 1758-1804.
Commands: Frigate l'Hermione, Ship Le Tonnant, Boulogne Flotilla, Brest Squadron, Mediterranean Squadron.
Conflicts: Seven Years' War, American War of Independence, Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
Achievements: Battle of July 21, 1781, Capture of Corsairs, Battles against Nelson.
Honors: Knight of the Order of Saint Louis, Grand Officer of the Legion of Honor, Order of Cincinnatus.
Tributes: Name engraved on the Arc de Triomphe (3rd column).

Handwritten note "Registered at the naval office in Rochefort on December twenty-fourth, one thousand seven hundred sixty-eight".

Dimensions: 23.5 cm x 33 cm. In fairly good condition, with folds, damp stains, and foxing.

BIOGRAPHY:
Louis-René Levassor de La Touche, Count of Tréville, known as Latouche-Tréville, born on June 3, 1745 in Rochefort (Charente-Maritime) and died on August 19, 1804 aboard the Bucentaure in the roads of Toulon (Var), was a French naval officer of the 18th century. Coming from a family of sailors, he distinguished himself particularly during the American War of Independence.
Elected as a noble deputy in 1789, he nevertheless voted for the abolition of privileges and was a member of the Constituent Assembly until its dissolution in 1791. Retiring to his estate in Montargis, he remained without assignment until 1799, before being called back by the Consulate. Promoted to vice-admiral and successively placed in command of the Brest fleet and the Boulogne flotilla, he was tasked by Napoleon I to gain control of the English Channel before launching an invasion of England.