Autograph Signed corrected draft of 'Memorial of Major general Charles Viscount Grant de Vaux' to the Earl of Bathurst, requesting the transfer of a previous grant of land in Canada to his native island of Mauritius.

2pp., cr.8vo (30 x 18.5cm). In fair condition, aged and worn, with slight damage to one corner, resulting in loss of one word of text. 62 lines of text, with deletions and emendations, and the thirteen lines of the conclusion largely rewritten. Headed: 'To the Right Honorable | the Earl of [sic] Bathurst | His Majestys Principal Secretary of State for the Colonial & War Department, | &c &c &c | the Memorial of Major General Charles Viscount Grant de Vaux | Shewest [sic]'. The first paragraph reads: 'That your memorialist, although a french Emigrant, is descended from two ancient and noble British families, both by his father and mother, and holds at present the rank of major general in the British Service - having resided in England since the year 1790, during which period, after his services in the Emigrants Army became unnecessary, he devoted his attentions to objects of Science, and has published several works on Astronomy, Navigation, History &c tending to discoveries, particularly on Nautical Science, and on the history of Mauritius; which having met the approbation of men of talents, and the patronage of Government, your memorialist humbly hopes that his labours will ultimately prove beneficial to this country, and to his unfortunate and numerous family.' The second paragraph concerns 'a large tract of Land in Canada', granted to him in 1794, 'with a view to remove to that country a considerable number of french Emigrants who were to be conducted by him'. The third paragraph concerns 'the island of Mauritius, (where your memorialist was born)', where his father 'the late Baron Grant &c, commanded the troops', which has been 'conquered by his majesty's arms, and is a valuable colony of Great Britain' The fourth paragraph concerns his family, he having married 'a native of this country, by whom he has eight children not provided for, all born in England'. In the fifth paragraph he stresses his 'loyalty and integrity'. In conclusion he prays that 'your Lordship be pleased to issue an order that his Grant of land may be conferred to him in the isle of France ['the Isle of France' was another name for Mauritius], his native country, in lieu of the grant in Canada, which was extensive according to his rank and numerous family'. Biographical/Historical NoteCharles Grant, vicomte de Vaux, was the descendant of a family of nobles who had emigrated from Scotland to France in the 14th century. Vaux was born in 1749 on the island of Mauritius, where his father, Louis-Charles Grant, the Baron de Vaux, served as governor. As a youth, Vaux sailed to France to be educated and settled at Vaux-sur-Seulle in Normandy, and eventually became an army officer. During the American Revolution, he sided with the colonists and earned money selling supplies to the colonies and investing in ships to engage in privateering. The majority of the ships were lost, and after the war Vaux petitioned the United States Congress for compensation. Though Vaux considered emigrating to North America, he remained in France until forced by the revolution in France to flee to Great Britain in 1790. During his time as a refugee, Vaux became interested in the prospect of starting a settlement in Canada, and much of his energy during the next decade was focused on gaining permissions and raising money for the expedition. In the mid-1790s Vaux attempted to support himself as an army officer after being granted the position of colonel and permission to recruit a regiment, which he formed with other French émigrés; it was stationed temporarily in Holland. This pursuit failed, however, and the regiment was dispersed after France invaded Holland during the French Revolutionary wars. Vaux then turned to writing to support himself, publishing numerous books which included History of Mauritius and Introduction to Four New Maps of the Four Quarters, all the while still attempting to plan a Canadian settlement. Despite his constant petitioning, planning, and pleas for aid, Vaux was never able to realize his dream of moving to Canada. Little is known of the last two decades of his life, but he is thought to have died in France around 1818."