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
Chapter 1 Beginnings Chapter 2 Beaumarchais and Vergennes Chapter 3 Roderigue Hortalez and Co. Chapter 4 Silas Deane is Sent to Europe Chapter 5 Ships to America Chapter 7 Benjamin Franklin Chapter 8 France and Spain Chapter 10 Theveneau de Francy, Beaumarchais's Agent in America Chapter 11 The Fier Roderigue: I Chapter 12 1778: French Recognition Chapter 13 Francy Disillusioned Chapter 14 Deane vs. Congress Chapter 15 The Fier Roderigue: II Chapter 15 Deane Dismissed Chapter 16 Francy and Deane Return to France Chapter 17 Deane's Desperation Chapter 18 Observations on the Justifying Memorial . . . Chapter 19 Peace Chapter 20 Gift or Loan? Chapter 21 Payment—of Sorts Chapter 21 French Government Support of Beaumarchais Chapter 22 Conclusion