Rare love letters to French aristocrat shed light on Louis XVI maritime mystery
‘Miracle’ cache of letters written by French scientist who died in ill-fated La Pérouse mission give personal account of 1785 voyage As he prepared to climb the scaffolding to be publicly executed by guillotine on 21 January 1793, Louis XVI is reported to have asked: “Is there news of Monsieur de la Pérouse?” He was referring to Jean-François de Galaup, the count of Pérouse , a naval officer and…
A rare collection of love letters, penned by a scientist who died during the ill-fated La Pérouse mission, has recently come to light. These intimate missives, written to the married daughter of an aristocratic family, provide a unique glimpse into the personal lives of the individuals involved in the 1785 French scientific expedition.
The letters were discovered hidden in a book of engravings ahead of an upcoming auction and have been described as a "miracle" find by auctioneer Ludovic Miran. The La Pérouse expedition, led by naval officer Jean-François de Galaup, the count of Pérouse, was tasked with exploring the Pacific Ocean to rival the discoveries of British explorer Captain James Cook.
The ships, La Boussole and L'Astrolabe, were lost in 1788 after leaving Australia, leaving many questions about their fate unanswered. The letters, written by Jean-André Mongez, shed light on the expedition's challenges and the emotional bonds between its members. Mongez expresses his unhappiness with the recipient's marriage and seeks to improve his behavior, hinting at past indiscretions.
While the letters offer valuable insights into the expedition, they also provide clues about the difficult conditions endured by the crew and the impact of their voyage on those involved.
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