[BAUDIN EXPEDITION] Autograph testimonial signed by Hamelin, commander of Le Naturaliste, written for one of his junior officers. de HAMELIN, Emmanuel, Amiral (1768-1839)

Manuscript in ink on bluish laid paper, 195 x 160 mm; place and revolutionary date of 'Paris 1er thermidor an 11' [20 July 1803], signed 'Capitaine de frégate Commdt. Eel. Hamelin'; wet stamp of the Collection Deséglise; some foxing. Provenance: Collection Deséglise, France (late 19th - early 20th century), housed in the original Deséglise manila folder with manuscript annotations. Written in Paris by Hamelin some six weeks after the arrival of Le Naturaliste at Le Havre (6 June 1803), this document is a testimonial for one of the junior officers who had served under him on Le Naturaliste during the Baudin expedition. 'J’atteste que le citoyen Le Breton aspirant de la Marine a été chargé, par moi, d’un quart à bord de la corvette ""Le Naturaliste"" pendant une grande partie de la campagne et qu’il s’en est parfaitement bien acquitté. En foi de quoi je lui ai délivré le présent.' (I testify that the Citizen Le Breton, Naval lieutenant, was placed, by me, as an officer of the watch aboard the corvette ""Le Naturaliste"" for much of the expedition, and that he has acquitted himself perfectly well. In witness whereof I have provided him with this document.)