Jean Rousselin Collection, 1791-1814
Box 63, Small Collections
The following notes and summaries are based on transcriptions of the original manuscripts (in French) by Émilie Duranceau Lapointe and Andrew J. Walker
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Jean Rousselin collection, 1791-1814
10 items
The Jean Rousselin Collection is made up of three letters, one letterbook and correspondence record, five documents, and one imprint largely pertinent to Rousselin's time as a commercial agent in St. Domingue, Cuba, and Louisiana around the final period of the Haitian Revolution, 1802-1805. Additional letters and documents date from 1791-1794, 1809-1810, and 1814.
The Jean Rousselin Collection is made up of three letters, one letterbook and correspondence record, five documents, and one imprint largely pertinent to Rousselin's time as a commercial agent in St. Domingue, Cuba, and Louisiana around the final period of the Haitian Revolution, 1802-1805. Additional materials date from 1791-1794, 1809-1810, and 1814.
The letterbook and correspondence record volume contains copies of 20 outgoing letters from Jean Rousselin to merchants and investors in Le Havre, Paris, Port au Prince, and New York between September 6, 1802, and September 22, 1805. The volume also contains a record of an additional 18 letters from Rousselin to the same recipients, but without copies of the letters themselves.
The letterbook revolves around Jean Rousselin's oversight of goods at St. Domingue that were owned by his employer Marliani and Co. of Paris (at Rue Neuve-du-Luxembourg). Sometime in 1803 Rousselin was forced to evacuate from the island, managing to get a quantity of cloth and other product aboard a ship to Cuba. In his new location in or near Santiago de Cuba, Rousselin corresponded with Marliani at Paris; M. Gosselin at Le Havre; American factors/merchants, especially George Meade at Port au Prince and merchants Ralph B. Forbes and his brother James G. Forbes at New York. Rousselin spent around two years trying to arrange the sale of goods remaining at St. Domingue via George Meade (who died there in 1804), follow Meade's payments to Forbes, and secure funds through Forbes to pay Marliani. At the same time, Rousselin invested some of Marliani's capital to become co-owner of a coffee plantation near Santiago de Cuba. The coffee plantation investment underwent challenges and floundered for inadequate resources.
One letter (not part of the letterbook) dated October 20, 1804, contains Rousselin's vivid and detailed description of the landscape, people, culture, trade, leisure, and everyday life in Cuba, as shared with Dubuc at Le Havre. Other items in the collection include a 1794 statement of Rousselin's military service, his 1802 passport, and additional business letters and documents, particularly after Rousselin's arrival in New Orleans.
The Jean Rousselin collection also includes the imprint: Loi relative aux sieurs Bosque, Greslier, Guy, Leborgne & autres ; & au sieur Edmont Saint-Léger, commandant de la garde nationale de Tabago. A Paris: De l'Imprimerie Royale, 1791.
Please see the box and folder listing below for details about each item in the collection.
[1792] . Bernanosse manuscript copy of a document.
6 pages
Box 63, Small Collections
Giving a history of the estate of M. Leloir, who traveled to St. Domingue with M. Baudry in October 1789 and then died at Port au Prince in June 1791. Executor M. le Savoy de Mullenheim. Leloir's wife hadn't received anything from him in a long time; fearing something happened sent a power of attorney to M. Lecesne at M. de Vaudreuil in St. Domingue to recover what belonged to Leloir in concert with M. de Mullenheim. Multi-page list of invoices/bills sent to numerous individuals for specified goods, services, etc. Jean Rousselin's name is included in conjunction with certain paintings. Debt totals £63,244-2-8.
16 Floréal 2 [May 5, 1794]. Captain Coudrelle partially printed document signed to Jean Rousselin; Vitré.
2 pages
Box 63, Small Collections
Formal statement from the Captain of the second Company of the Bataillon de la Montagne ['Second Mountain Battalion'] certifying Jean Rousselin's service as fusilier and as secretary on the General Staff. Seen and signed by battalion officers (fusilier, rifleman, et al.). Printed form "LIBERTÉ EGALITÉ RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE UNE ET INDIVISIBLE. GARDE NATIONALE DE ROUEN, SECOND BATAILLON DE LA MONTAGNE : "Vivre Libre ou Mourir." Verso: Certification that the battalion returned December 8, 1794, and was dismissed later the same month. [NB: the seal and possibly additional signature(s) have been physically cut from the document].
19 Fructidor 10 [September 6, 1802]. [Dubois?] partially printed document signed to Jean Rousselin; Paris.
1 page
Box 63, Small Collections
Three-month passport for Jean Rousselin, anticipating his travel to St. Domingue. The passport includes descriptive information about Rousselin, such as age (39), height, hair and eye color, and one-word notes on his mouth, nose, chin, and face. A manuscript note preceding Rousselin's signature states: "Porteur d’un congé définitif." Signatures of Le Conseiller d’Etat, Préfet, Le Secrétaire Général, and Le Chef de la 4e. Division. Verso: "Vu au bureau de la place pour l’arrivée Port Républicain", 17 Pluviôse an 11 [February 6, 1803]. Printed form: RÉPUBLIQUE FRANÇAISE. PRÉFECTURE DE POLICE", "PASSE-PORT A L’ÉTRANGER..." Engraved illustration (likely based on a painting) of a busy scene, with representations of travelers and transportation. It depicts two men walking, one with a walking stick, and a dog following behind; a carriage drawn by two horses; a horse and two men beside a drinking fountain/water trough; a small gondola boat; and a town in the distance. In the air is seen a crowned angel-like figure bearing a bough in one hand and a pot/basket of fruit in the other. The whole picture is framed with decorations, busts of Roman Gods, and other symbols.
5 Vendémiaire 11 [September 27, 1802]. Ferrier autograph letter signed to Jean Rousselin; Paris.
2 pages
Box 63, Small Collections
Correspondence arrangements pertinent to Rouen; M. Marliani and André Fabre de Gouges [Gauges?]. Ferrier's brother-in-law M. Chevaudier (André), age 44 or 45, has not been heard from since 1779 or 1780 if Rousselin sees him, the family would be pleased to learn of his happiness and good health.