WHYTE'S THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR SATURDAY & SUNDAY 25 & 26 July 2020

23 History THE ECLECTIC COLLECTOR · 25 & 26 JULY 2020 at minimum three copies, and it is quite feasible that an additional copy had been sent to Hoche. He had just appointed Tone his adjutant, clearly trusted him, and needed to appraise him of developments. Possibly Tone had translated it simply to clarify his own understanding of it. The English version reads very fluently, and one would hardly know it is a translation (iii) The orders go on to entrust General Humbert with a second expedition, what would become the former’s legendary occupation of Mayo and brief campaign, until his defeat at Ballinamuck on 8 September 1798. This translation is almost verbatim the English rendering of Bruix’s orders to Humbert, preserved in the French Marine archives, and which only slightly differ from those issued to Hardy. The French strategy outlined here differs totally with the earlier plans for raids, 1796-7 (i.e. Tate’s). Bruix only alludes to conventional warfare, his language is restrained, and any patriotic exhortations are subdued (in contrast to Carnot’s 1796 plan). He advises Humbert to proceed with ‘the utmost prudence’ until linking up with Hardy, and not to attempt ‘important operations’ unless he had, or had significant numbers of Irish serving under him. Thus whether he should have engaged with the enemy at Castlebar or not is a matter of interpreting Bruix’s orders. In every other regard, Humbert strictly adhered to his instructions; he was not to tolerate any ‘outrage’ against persons or property, and he was to ensure the manners, customs and religious worship of the Irish were respected. Breaches of discipline were to be severely punished. The circumstances which led Tone to translate these orders and not specifically Hardy’s are somewhat mysterious; they were also marked secret, but clearly he was given a copy. If he kept a diary after 30 June, 1798, it has not survived, and no correspondence refers to these orders. Tone arrived at the naval port of Brest on 1 August 1798, and was immediately assigned to serve under Hardy, not Humbert. He may have translated them simply to better grasp the content, to compare them with Hardy’s, or to pass the time usefully. His brother Mathew served as a captain under Humbert, but sailed from La Rochelle, not Brest; it is unknown what contacts the two brothers had during their last days on French soil, if any. Dr Sylvie Kleinman, March 2020 Estimate €1500-€2000 (approx £1,360-£1,820) Click here for more images and to bid on this lot 27