1780, Louis XVI, signed enquiry into ship and crew imprisoned by British ship

Description

This is an original document dated 1780, where the Count de Chilleau has just returned from being a prisoner of war in a British Prison. He lost the ship LE PROTHEE and he and his crew were captured. However, it seems Count de Chilleau's account of his capture differs from an account done by Baron de La Haye, who was captain of a ship in the envoy. The request is that His Majesty authorize a Council of War, at Brest, to investigate further. Louis XVI has notated in his own hand with a simple approval....Bon. Document is 8x12, double sided, in overall fine shape, with full translation.
A French convoy of two storeships and thirteen other vessels, bound for Mauritius under the care of the 64's Protée and  the frigate Charmante, and the corvette Argus, was unlucky enough to be sighted to the south of Madeira on February 23rd by a British squadron under Rear-Admiral the Hon Robert Digby.’
The French at once scattered, and, darkness coming on, altered course, with the exception of the Protée, Charmante, and two of the smallest ships. At one in the morning of February 24th, some hours after this change had been made, the Protée’s captain came to the conclusion that the safety of his consorts was assured, and decided to look to that of his own ship.
Hitherto he had been sailing large; now it was necessary to sail nearer the wind. In altering course, however, his main topgallant mast came down, injuring the sails of the foremast, and hindering the working of the ship. In consequence, the Protée was quickly overtaken.
At about two, the Resolution, 74, Captain Lord Robert Manners, opened upon her. A little later the Bedford and Marlborough, both 74’s, joined in the cannonade. Resistance was perfectly hopeless from the first, but Captain Vicomte Du Chilleau did not strike till his wheel had been shattered, his sails riddled, and his ship rendered incapable of movement.
He surrendered at 3.15 A.M., having lost thirty-two killed and a great number of wounded. The Resolution had not lost a man. On board the Protée was a large sum of money. Of the rest of the convoy, three sail only were taken. The Clzarmante was hotly pursued, but she got away.
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