Autograph letter, signed, describing French and British naval operations. Fourteen lines of the letter are written in a numerical cipher, and have been decoded by Destouches. A portion of the cipher discusses British activities in the war. The letter is dated Philadelphia, 26 February, 1781 at the top of the first page, and is signed by La Luzerne at the end of the second page. Title supplied by cataloger.
La Luzerne, Anne-César, chevalier de, 1741-1791 Destouches, Charles-René-Dominique Sochet, 1727-1794 Philadelphia (Pa.) Admirals--France--Correspondence Ciphers--Early works to 1800 United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Participation, French United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Naval operations United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--British forces United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Cryptography Letters (correspondence) France 18th century. (aat) Letters (correspondence) United States Revolution, 1775-1783. (aat) Military records France 18th century. (aat) Military records United States Revolution, 1775-1783. (aat)
Source
Papers of Charles-René-Dominique Sochet Destouches, 1754-1804 (bulk 1780-1781) ; Orderly Books of the American Revolution. mssDE Box 1 Manuscripts, Huntington Digital Library
Provenance
Purchased from the American Art Association, 1926.
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