^Lot 289 King Louis XIV

King of France (born 1638) from 1643 until his death in 1715, known as the ‘Sun King’ for the glittering splendor of his court at Versailles and the unparalleled glory of France during his 72-year reign. ALS in French, signed “Louis,” seven pages on four sheets, 8.25 x 12.5, October 13, 1693. Letter to Nicolas de Catinat, Marshal of France. In part (translated): “I have received…the letter you wrote me from the battlefield of La Marsaille (French victory in Italy won by Catinat, Oct. 4, 1693)…and the account included in it of the officers taken prisoner from the enemy army. I am convinced of the pleasure you take in knowing how much joy I take in so great a victory as the one you have just gained…I felt this joy as keenly as you can imagine, especially in circumstances like the present ones. The secret that you kept concerning the premeditated entry into Piedmont and the march on the enemies that you undertook have been of great utility and in part the cause of the good fortune that has befallen us. This makes it easy to see the difference between people who know how to conduct themselves contrary to those who act without thinking.

It seems very likely that the information you send on the Count of Caprara and the Marquis de Legarre is true. They are believed to be wiser and more capable than the Duke of Savoy. As far as the Prince of Orange is concerned, it's by no means surprising that he wants us to take risks…It very much seems that the Duke of Savoy wanted to outsmart us, but his ruses were too crude to deceive us. Your march's few days delay isn't significant and I am highly pleased to see from your letter that your feelings are in accord with what I think. . the Sieur de Chamlay is leaving at this very moment with orders for putting gunpowder in place in Pignerol and for the resumption of the siege of Pignerol…I approve of your receiving into the army the Count and Chevalier de Tesse to replace the general officers who were killed or wounded. I am grieved by the death of Mr. Delahoguede whose worth and capacities I knew… replace the commander in Savoy…I am very pleased with the report you've had concerning the weakness of the enemies' troops and of their difficulties in regrouping…I approve of what you've done in favor of the enemy prisoners in order to try to get them to join my troops, which is all the more important because in reducing the enemy's forces I increase my own. You did well to release enemy officers at their word and it is necessary to deal honorably with them…Be aware of my satisfaction at how the general officers conducted themselves. I have again asked the Sieur de Chamlay to communicate to you all I think and feel.” In a postscript Louis writes: "I have just learned that Charleroi surrendered the 11th of this month." In very good condition, with scattered toning and foxing, some light creases and wrinkles, a couple small pencil notations, and a small hole to last page. The pages are still held together with a small green fabric ribbon.

Louis penned this letter to Catinat during the Nine Years’ War, fought between France and the Grand Alliance from 1688 to 1697. The Battle of Marsaglia (or La Marsaille) had occurred just over a week before between the French army of Marshal Catinat and the Allied army of Duke Victor Amadeus II of Savoy. Catinat’s victory over the Duke was one of the Marshal’s greatest achievements, with Allied losses of 10,000 compared to French casualties of only 1,800. Weakened by the defeat, the Duke entered into secret peace negotiations with René de Froulay de Tessé, French Marshal and diplomat, following the battle. As the King describes, armies avoided taking prisoners during the Nine Years’ War, quickly exchanging them or releasing them with promises that they would not bear arms for a period of time or until a formal exchange was organized. A remarkable letter detailing the military strategy of the Sun King.