COMMISSION TO THE YOUNG COMTE DE SERRANT

Louis, by the grâce of God, King of France and Navarre, to our dear and well loved Mr. Anthony Joseph Walsh, Cte. de Serrant,* 2nd Lieutenant in the Régiment of Irish Infantry of Clare, greeting ; taking iuto considération the services which you hâve rendered to us, on ail the opportunities which hâve presented themselves, and wishing to testify our satisfaction for thèse causes and others moving us, we hâve committed (appointed), ordered, and

1 [' Autrui,' one's neighbour. — Tr.] * Born in 1744 at Cadiz, eventually second

2 ''Lacs,' nieauing 'cordon délié.'— Tr.] Comte de Serrant, died at Serrant in 1817. ^ [' Néchaussée.' — Tr.]

establislied you aiid \ve commit, orJer, ami establisli you as captaiu ' réformé à la suitte ' ^ of the Eegt. of Irish Cavalry of Fitz-James, to serve there in the said capacity from the day and date of thèse présents, notwithstanding what is borne by the 6th article of our régulation of the 29th Feby. 1728, under our authority, and under that of the Lord Marquis of Bethunes, colonel-general of our light cavalry, and of the Lord Marquis of Castrie's gênerai of the same, on the part and as by us or by our lieutenant-general you may be commanded and ordered for our service, our intention not being, however, that you should claim any pay in the said capacity of Captain ' Eéformé.' To do this we give you power, commission, authority, and mandate spécial. We inform our very dear and well beloved cousin, the Marquis de FitzJames, 'Maréchal du Camp' of the said régiment, and in his absence him who commands it, to receive you and make you recognised in the said capacity and ail that belongs to it that you in doiug this may be obeyed. For such is our pleasure.

Given at St. Hubert, the 25th day of Jiily the year of grâce 1762, and of our reign the forty-seventh. Louis.

' Par le Eoy,' The Duc de Choiseul.

[Without Address.] Versailles, lOth May 177*

The king having judged proper, sir, to incorporate by his régulation of the 26th of last month the Irish régiment of infantry which you command in the Corsican Légion, which takes the name of the Dauphiné, to replace the infantry which His Majesty passes into the Koyal Corsican Kegiment to form a second bataillon to it, His Majesty has named you to be Colonel of the Eegt. of Bassigny which is to be formed of the 2nd and 4th battalions of the Eegt. of Aunis ; you will hâve for Lt.-Colonel, M. Castillon de Monchamp who is of the Eegt. of Aunis, and for Major, M. Clarcke, who is that of the Eegiment of Balckcley.

Mr. Butler, Lt.-Colonel of the Eegiment of Walsh, becomes Lt.-Colonel of the Eegt. of Aquitaine.

After what you hâve said, that it might be reported to me, that Mr. Segrave, Major of your Eegiment, not knowiug a word of French could not follow you, I hâve judged that the interests of the service opposed his being replaced, and as he is an old officer who has served well, I hâve proposed to His Majesty to grant him 1800 'livres' of pay per annum, to serve him as pension, he to enjoy it as Major attached to the Irish Brigade, or in a situation at his choice without other déduction than 4 farthings '" per ' livre.'

As to what concerns you personally, His JVIajesty has ordained that you will keep, even when you become a gênerai officer, the entire pay of Colonel of an Irish Eegiment, which is 12,000 'livres' per annum without other deduc- ' sic. 2 [Denier, 12th part of a Sou, of which there are 20 to the franc. — Tr.]

tion than the ' 4 deniers per livre,' iu which, however, it is understood that the pay of the Colonel of the Freuch Régiment to which you are to be appointed is to be included during the time that you are provided with it, so that your pay will be uuder ail circumstances the said sum of 12,100 'livres.' That in order to complète it, the pay of the Colonel of a French Eegiment being only 4500 ' livres,' you will be paid by thèse spécial régulations 7500 'livres' annually under title of coutiuued pay.

That when you leave the Régiment of Bassiguy, whether you give in your résignation, or are advanced to the grade of Field Marshal, you will draw 24,000 of the price which will be deposited by the ofBcer who His Majesty may choose to succeed you. That, however, you will be replaced in the charge of Colonel of an Irish Régiment when one is vacated, whether you are still provided with the Régiment of Bassigny, or whether you hâve been made a gênerai officer; in the first case you will net draw the said 24,000 'livres,' and in the second you will be expected to restore them.

Thus the pay of 12,000 'livres' which is continued to you will be suppressed when you are replaced in an Irish régiment or other corps where the colonel receives as pay the same sum.

I hâve represented to His Majesty that when )'ou were nominated Colonel of the Eegiment of Roscomnion, there was made on the pay of this charge the reserve of 2000 ' livres ' annually in favour of the Chevalier de Nugent, Lt.- General, to be enjoyed by him for his lifetime. His Majesty is pleased to take away from you this charge, and to leave you the entire enjoymeut of the pay of a Colonel of an Irish Régiment. The King has decided that M. de Nugent will be paid in future the 2000 ' livres ' as an annual gratification on the extraordinary war crédit.

You can judge by thèse arrangements that the intention of His Majesty bas been to treat you favourably, under circumstances in which the good of the service has appeared to him to necessitate the changes whicli deprive you of a Eegiment which custom would hâve kept for you when you became gênerai officer. The King is persuaded, moreover, that you will not show less zeal iu the command of a French Regt., and that he will receive only advantageous testimony as to your conduct at the head of this corps.

The Maréchal du Muy.

MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE SERRANT

Versailles, IQth July 1776.

It is impossible to be more appréciative than I am, Sir, of the letters which you hâve donc me the lionour to write to me, and the obliging things which you hâve had the goodness to say to me on the re-establishment of the Eegiment of

Infantry of Walsh. If I hâve been happy enough to contribute to it, I find niyself aniply compensated by tlie thought of having reiidered to the Irish nation the justice it deserves. The King knows that that nation has rendered hini important services, that she will still render them, and that she has always coutributed ^ to the success of his arms.

Under ail the circumstances of my life, I shall be very flattered to give you proofs of the considération with which I am, gentlemen,^ your very humble and very obedient servant, The Puince de Montbarrey.^

MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE SERRANT

Versailles, ith July 1777.

On the report, Sir, which I hâve rendered to the King as to your services, His Majesty has been pleased to grant you the rank of Chevalier in the royal and military order of Saint Louis. I shall send off the orders to hâve you received when you let me know the name and the qualifications of the officer who may be tbund nearest to confer on you the cross of this honour. I hâve the honour to announce it to you and to be very perfectly, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant, The Pkince de Montbarrey.^

[Enclosore.]

Monsieur Antoine Joseph Philippe Cte. de Walsh-Serrant, the satisfaction that I hâve in your services has induced * me to associate you to the military order of St. Louis. I write you this letter to tell you that I hâve committed to the Comte de Caramen ' Maréchal de Camp' in my armies and Chevalier of the said order, for and in my name to receive and admit you to the dignity of Chevalier de St. Louis, and my intention is that you should address yourself to him to make in his hauds the oath which you are required to make in the said capacity of knight of the said order, and receive from him the ' accolade' and the cross, which you will hereafter wear on your breast attached by a little ribbon of flame colour, my wish being that after this réception has been made, you should hold rank with the other officers of this order and enjoy the honours attached to it. And the présent having no other aim, I pray God that he may hâve you, M. Anthony Joseph Philippe Cte. de Walsh Serrant, in His holy keeping.

Written at Versailles, the 14th July 1777. Louis.

Saint-Germains.

[' Eté prdtieuse.' — Tr.]

' Messieurs,' the plur;i,l is perhaps meant to inolude other officers. — Tr.] So signed in full.— Tr.] * [' Convié.'— Tb.]

3 [Se

MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE SEEEANT

I cannot sufficiently thank y ou, Sir, for ail the letters y ou hâve been good enough to write to me; tliis exchange (commerce) has for me pleasure and utility, and I shall feel a real obligation to you to continue it as long as you remain in England, where you bave liberty to remain as long as your affairs oblige you or require your présence. I make the use I ought of your letters, and such as you would désire, and I beg you to be very persuaded that I bave an essential gratitude to you. I bave the honour to be, with the most sincère attachmeut, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,

The Peince de Montbakkey.

MONSIEUR LE COMTE DE SERRANT

Versailles, Ist March 1780.

The King having been pleased. Sir, to grant you the grade of brigadier,^ I bave the honour to inform you of this with pleasure, and to be very perfectly, Sir, your very humble and very obedient servant,

The Prince de Montbaekey.

[Enclosuee.]

To-day, the Ist March 1780, the King, being at Versailles, taking into considération the good and faithful services which M. Anthony Joseph Cte. de Walsh-Serrant, Colonel-Commandant of a Régiment of Infantry of bis name, has rendered to His Majesty, in varions trusts and war employments which bave been confided to him, in which he has given proofs of bis valeur, courage, expérience in war, diligence and good conduct, as well as of his fidelity and affection to his service, and wishing to signify to him his satisfaction, His Majesty bas retained, ordered and established him in the trust of Brigadier of Infantry, that he may henceforward perform the functions, enjoy and use the honours, autliorities, prérogatives and pre-eminences which belong to it, in such manner and similar to tbose which are enjoyed by those who are provided with such charges and with the pay which will be regulated for him by the ' Etats ' ^ of His Majesty, who, as a testimony of his will, has commanded me to expedite to him (the Comte de Serrant) the présent ' brevet ' (commission), signed by His Majesty's hand, and countersigned by me, his Councillor-Secretary of State and of bis commandmenls and finances. Louis.

Tiie Pkince de Montbakeey.

' [Superior officer, intermediary step between a Colonel and a General. — Tb.] 2 [The parliament.— Tr.]

98 A KOYALIST FAMILY

MONSIEUE LE COMTE DE SERRANT

Versailles, \st Jany. 1784.

The King having been pleased, Sir, to confer ou you the grade of ' Maréchal de Camp ' ^ iu bis Army, I hâve the honour to inform you thereof, and to be with perfect attachment, Sir, your very humble and very obedieut servant,

The M^. de Segur.

[Enclosure.]

To-day, the Ist of the nionth of Jany. 1784, the King being at Versailles, taking into considération the good and faithful services which M. Anthony Joseph, Comte de Walsh- Serrant, brigadier of infantry, bas rendered to him in divers charges and war employments which hâve been confided to him, in which he bas given proofs of bis valeur, courage, expérience in war, diligence and good conduct, as well of bis fidelity and affection to His Majesty's service, and wishing to mark to him bis satisfaction, His Majesty bas retained, ordered, and established him in the charge of 'Maréchal de Camp' in his armies, henceforward to perform the functions of the same, to enjoy and use the bonours, authorities, prérogatives, and pre-eminences which belong to it, such and similarly to those which are enjoyed by those wbo are provided witb such charges, and with the pay ordered by the Government of His Majesty, wbo as a testimony of his will bas commanded me to expedite to him the présent commission, which His Majesty bas signed with bis hand, and had countersigned by me, Councillor- Secretary of State and of his commandments and finances. Louis.

The M^^. de Segdr.

COMMISSION TO ANTHONY FRANCIS WALSH, 3rd CHEVALIER WALSH DE CHASSENON ^

The Comte de Walsh having given to Anthony Francis Walsh, born in 1767, the charge of Sub-Lieutenant Supernumerary of bis company of Walsh in the Irisb Regt. of Infantry which you command, created by my ordiuauce of the 1 2th July last, I write this letter to tell you that you bave to receive him and to cause him to be recognised in the said charge by ail those and in manner as he belongs, and the présent being to no otber purpose, I pray God, Count de Walsh, that He may bave you in His holy keeping.

Written at Versailles, 2d Sepber. 1784. Louis.

The M*^ de Segur.

[No Address.]

Louis Joseph de Bourbon, Prince de Condé, Prince of the Blood, Peer and Grand Master of France, Lieutenant-General of the King's Armies, Knight of

' [Former name of the Gênerais of Brigades, ^ [Son of Antoine Anthisme, Ist Chevalier différent from that of the Maréchal de France, Walsh de Chassenon. He was killed at the pasthe highest rank in the aru)y.— Tr.] sage over the Elb eat Dresden 1813, s.p. — Tr.']

his Orders, Governor and Lieutenant-General of the provinces of Bouigoyne and of Bresse, Colouel-General of the French and of the foreign Infantry.

Seeing the présent letter of the King addressed to the Count de Walsh, signifying that His Majesty has given to the said Anthony Francis Walsh the appointment of Sub-Lieutenant Snperuuiiierary in the Company of Walsh,

We, in virtue of the power which we hâve on account of our position as Golonel-General of the French and the foreign infantry, inform tlie Comte de Walsh, and in his absence the officer who commands the Eegiment of Walsh, to receive and cause to be recognised the said Walsh in the charge of Sub-Lieutenant Superuumerary of the Company of Walsh by ail those and in the manner which belongs to it, in faith of which we hâve expedited the présent, which we hâve signed, and had countersigned by the Secretary-General of the French and foreign infantry.

Given at Paris, the 14th May 1785. Louis Joseph de Bourbon.

For his Serene Highness,

Boulogne de Lascouks.