[ Autographs ] COUNT D'ESTAING'S FLEET STRENGTH A historically- important A.Ms. 1p. 8vo., [Toulon, 1778] listing the seventeen vessels under the command of Adm. Charles H. T. d'Estaing which sailedfrom Toulon on April 13, 1778, bound for service in support of the American Revolution. The vessels are listed by name, along with the number of cannon carried onboard, and the names of the commanding officer of each vessel. It would not be until April 9th before the fleet would arrive in American waters. Also included is a similar document listing approx. forty warships spotted at the Bay of St. Helen and under the command of British Admiral Augustus Keppel, commander in chief of the fleet. Among the vessels listed is, of course, the Victory. Both documents originated in the papers of PierreAugustin de Beaumarchais, (1732 - 1799) French author, watchmaker and merchant who spearheaded early French covert efforts to supply the Continental Army before France officially entered the war in 1778. Very good to fine.