Scope and Content Note
The papers of Luis Aury (circa 1787-circa 1821) span the years 1801-1911, with the bulk of the material dating from 1801 to 1822. The papers, written in French and Spanish, include originals and copies of correspondence, records relating to the settlement of Aury's estate, legal documents, a commission, and a newspaper. The correspondence consists largely of letters written by Aury to his family between 1801 and 1816. One of the earliest of these, written while Aury was still an apprentice, describes his experiences as a member of French naval forces sent to Saint-Dominigue in 1802. Letters after 1808 recount his exploits as a corsair conducting raids on English and Spanish ships in the Caribbean.
Financial records relating to the settlement of Aury's estate in 1821 include a ledger and other accounts which provide information on his activities as naval commander in the Caribbean on behalf of the United Provinces of South America (later renamed the United Provinces of Río de la Plata). The records list, among other things, Aury's expenses, ships, prize cargoes, and personal property as well as the names of his creditors, officers, and crew.
Other items include a commission authorizing raids on Spanish ships which was signed by Aury while governor of an independent republic established by him in Galveston, Texas, in 1816. An edition of a Paris newspaper, Le Constitutionnel, contains a brief summary of Aury's activities from 1818 to October 1819.