VILLARET DE JOYEUSE, Louis Thomas, (veel-ah-ray) Count, better known as VILLARET-JOYEUSE, French naval officer, born in Auch Gers in 1750; died in Venice, Italy, 24 July, 1812. He early entered the life-guards, but in 1766 joined the navy as midshipman, and served in the West Indies and South America. He was promoted post-captain, was in Santo Domingo at the opening of the troubles of 1790, and aided in quieting the disturbance, taking part in the following year in the second expedition to Santo Domingo, after which he commanded the station of the Antilles. He was made rear-admiral in September, 1793, and sailed from Brest, 16 May, 1794, to escort a convoy of wheat-ships from the United States under Admiral Vanstabel. On 28 and 29 May and 1 June he engaged Admiral Howe's fleet, and, although both squadrons suffered heavily, the convoy passed safely and anchored at Brest, thus saving France from famine. In 1801 he was appointed commander-in-chief of the naval forces for Santo Domingo, and arriving, 6 February, 1802, off Cape Francais, succeeded, by well-concerted measures, in extinguishing the conflagration that had been begun by the retreating rebels. On 3 April, 1802, he was appointed governor-general of Martinique and St. Lucia, which post he retained with great efficiency for seven years. After the battle of Trafalgar, in 1805, his communications with France were severed, but he held the English invaders at bay till 1809, when, after sustaining a terrible bombardment in Fort Bourbon, he was compelled to sign an honorable capitulation. In 1811 he was appointed governor-general of Venice, where he died.