[MARINE] Manuscrit de 25 pages : "Précis des ordonnances de la Marine, concernant les troupes"

Manuscript of unnumbered leaves comprising a digest of ordinances and regulations relating to the French naval troops, most promulgated between 1690 and 1751.

The manuscript is preserved in its original stitched wrappers, in contemporary paper covers with manuscript annotations; tears to the opening leaves affecting the text; housed in a cream card portfolio. 

It contains: Royal regulation of 1690 concerning the levy, pay and discipline of the naval troops. – Royal regulation of 1691 governing the billeting, conduct, march, policing and discipline of the naval troops. – Royal ordinances of 1695 and 1700 on the policing and discipline of the compagnies franches. – Ordinance of 1692 regarding captains who shall go or send recruits. – Royal regulation of 1693 concerning the officers of the compagnies franches de la Marine. – Ordinance of 1693 prescribing the form of the treasurer’s receipts for payment of the naval troops. – Royal regulation of 1706 for the administration of the "masse du décompte" of the naval troops. – Ordinance of 1717 authorising provincial commanders or governors, in urgent circumstances, to employ the compagnies franches de la Marine. – Ordinance of 1723 permitting the enlistment of soldiers aged sixteen, provided they measure five feet one inch. – Royal ordinance of 1748 concerning the compagnies franches de la Marine. – Ministerial letter of 1750 stipulating that majors were to receive a supplement of 1,000 livres attached to the rank rather than to the individual, etc. Created in 1622 by Richelieu, the compagnies ordinaires de la mer were intended to be embarked on warships to serve the artillery and to take part in boarding actions and other naval engagements. They were likewise responsible for the defence and guarding of ports. They later became the compagnies franches de la Marine, and subsequently the troupes de marine. The final leaves of the wrappers bear a list of cruising signals, numbered 1 to 17, then 34 to 79. 

Provenance: personal papers of François Aymar, chevalier, later baron de Monteil.