Descripción
Two volumes. xlix,[1],344; [4],407pp., plus two folding maps. Half title in each volume. Contemporary maroon calf, elaborately blind stamped and ruled in gilt, brown calf spines stamped in gilt and blind, raised bands. Front board of first volume a bit bowed, light rubbing to boards. Modern bookplate on each front pastedown, early ownership signature on front free endpaper of each volume. Maps foxed, more prominently on world map, diagonal tear to world map near the mounting stub repaired on verso; light foxing in text, but generally internally clean. A very good set, in a handsome original binding. The only full account of the third French circumnavigation, and an important source on the Northwest Coast, California, and Hawaii. Sent to explore the possibilities for French trade and commerce with China and the East Indies, Roquefeuil's mission was considered a failure by the French authorities. This account of the voyage was therefore published without official government sanction, likely in a very small edition, and is very scarce on the market. No full English language translation has ever been produced. "In 1816, the year following Napoleon's final overthrow, the Bordelais, under command of Lieutenant Camille de Roquefeuil of the navy engaged in a voyage around the world, 'with a view not only to immediate trade, but to a prospective enlargement of national commerce' - at the expense, of course, of the British and American traders. "The vessel sailed from Bordeaux in October 1816, with a complement of thirty-four men and three officers and arrived at Nootka [via Chile and Peru] in September 1817. This was the first visit to the region of which we have a full account since the massacre of the Boston's crew. Here Roquefeuil made a stay of several weeks and gives many particulars of the Indians and their famous chief Maquinna who was saluted with seven guns, and was as anxious to barter and receive presents as in times of old. After completing a survey of the region and obtaining some furs at Barclay Sound, Roquefeuil coasted the shores to California, where he remained for the winter. The following year he returned to the north and engaged in a fur hunting expedition on joint account with the Russians, mainly at Sitka, where the party was attacked by the Kolosh and many of the Aleut hunters killed" - Eberstadt. "In the preface the editor mentioned that the present work had been written three years ago (in 1820) but that the author, due to various circumstances and to certain timidity, refrained from having it printed. It was only because of his undertaking another long sea voyage that he agreed to leave it to his family, allowing them to use it in the way they wished. It was one of his brothers who took charge of the publication of the JOURNAL without making any changes whatsoever. Its wording is exactly what was written on board the Bordelais. The author dwelt principally on naval and commercial matters, the latter being foremost in his mind. The editor added that de Roquefeuil's voyage solved the big problem of trading with China without exporting cash for this purpose. Although this voyage was made by de Roquefeuil with authorization from the French Ministry, he was told on his return to Paris that, due to its character, he would receive no promotion.Incidentally, the voyage of de Roquefeuil was the third French circumnavigation of the globe" - Lada-Mocarski. The first of the two attractive maps is a detailed view of the world, while the second shows the Northwest Coast from Kodiak south to Monterey Bay. The Bordelais also visited the Marquesas and Hawaii, stopping in Kahoolawe, Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu. A most important circumnavigational tour and one of the most exhaustive early 19th-century descriptions of the "Nord-Ouest." This first edition is not in the catalogue of the Hill Collection at UC San Diego, though they have acquired a set since. EBERSTADT 119:113. LADA-MOCARSKI 86. FORBES 569. HOWES R438, "b." WICKER. N° de ref. del artículo WRCAM54739
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