Front cover image for Beaumarchais and the American Revolution

Beaumarchais and the American Revolution

"Described by the magazine American Heritage as the "Most Underrated French Hero of the American Revolution," Caron de Beaumarchais - the French watchmaker who rose to fame and fortune as a dramatist, polemist, and Enlightenment free-thinker - became the most famous arms dealer of the American Revolutionary War. Based on archival research in Europe and the United States, this authoritative study tells the fascinating story of Beaumarchais's role in the American War of Independence as an owner and outfitter of ships and as an arms merchant. It chronicles his dealings with Louis XVI, Vergennes, Benjamin Franklin, and the American Continental Congress and recounts his family's struggle to receive payment for the weapons and materials sent to the American colonists
Print Book, English, ©2003
Lexington Books, Lanham, Md., ©2003
Biography
x, 361 pages : maps ; 24 cm
9780739104682, 0739104683
50554809
Prefaceix
A Word about Moneyxi
Abbreviationsxiii
Beginnings
1(16)
Beaumarchais and Vergennes
17(12)
Roderigue Hortalez and Co.
29(24)
Silas Deane Is Sent to Europe
53(20)
Ships to America
73(20)
Benjamin Franklin
93(24)
France and Spain
117(8)
Theveneau de Francy, Beaumarchais's Agent in America
125(20)
The Fier Roderigue: I
145(18)
1778: French Recognition
163(12)
Francy Disillusioned
175(22)
Deane vs. Congress
197(22)
Deane Dismissed
219(10)
The Fier Roderigue: II
229(12)
Francy and Deane Return to France
241(14)
Deane's Desperation
255(8)
Observations on the Justifying Memorial
263(10)
Peace
273(10)
Gift or Loan?
283(18)
French Government Support of Beaumarchais
301(16)
Payment---of Sorts
317(10)
Conclusion
327(10)
Bibliography337(12)
Index349(14)
About the Authors363