Chamillard de Varville, Paul de, fl. 1779-1791 Request for admission into Society of the Cincinnati

Writes that French Lieutenant Colonel Chamillard has the honor to represent to the members of the Society of the Cincinnati that he was the commander of 200 volunteers on board the frigate Bonhomme Richard. In the battle with the HMS Serapis "his conduct was such that the most flattering elogiun [sic] were given to him, in consequence the favours of his court were bestow'd on him." Says that of the 25 volunteers on the poop deck under his command, 22 were disabled. He has heard that Captains Stark and [Maurty] of the Irish Brigade were admitted into the Society of the Cincinnati by a decision of Commodore John Paul Jones and Colonel David Humphreys. Hopes that the distinction to these men, "whose titles are less than his, shall be equally granted to him." Note in French on the left margin is signed by the French consul at New York who affirms Chamillard's story. The consul also says Lafayette backs up the story. Contains a wax seal covered with paper in the upper left corner.