[MALTA - FRANCE] DOUBLET, Pierre Jean Louis Ovide (1749-1824). Il trionfo dell'innocenza e della verità o sia confutazione degli errori, e falsità sparsi fino ora senza veruna prova sulla caduta di Malta in mano de' Francesi. Rome: De Romanis, 1816. Extremely rare work, not present in Maltese libraries and unrecorded at auction, attributed to Doublet. The work refutes the accusations levelled against Grand Master Ferdinand Hompesch regarding the surrender of Malta to the French. Written in the first person, the book is a defence of Doublet's own actions; he had served as the Order's secretary since 1781; claiming that he had always acted in the interest of the Order and had unsuccessfully tried to influence the Grand Master's decisions. The author criticises the speed of the capitulation and the appointment of the delegation that negotiated with Napoleon, arguing that the matter should have been decided by the Council of the Order. In lot also a pamphlet on the same topic, published in Paris by Doublet. (for further reference: Scicluna, Malta Surrendered, 2011) 8vo (195 x 140mm). 70 pages. Publisher's wrappers [IN LOT WITH:] Observations sur l'ordre de Malte. Paris: Doublet, 1816. 8vo (220 x 140mm). 8 pages, publisher's printed wrappers. (1)