Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Gates, Horatio (1728-1806) [Proof of service for Guilluame de Luce] [in English and French]

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01450.401 Author/Creator: Gates, Horatio (1728-1806) Place Written: Various Type: Autograph document signed Date: 11 February 1778 Pagination: 1 p. ; 34 x 18 cm. Order a Copy

The English part of the document certifies that Guillaume de Luce served in the Northern Army for the United States of America, and that he served well. Signed by Horatio Gates at Yorktown on 11 February 1778. The French part attests that Gates' signature is true and that the document has been countersigned by the French secretary and affixed with the French army's seal. The seal is just below the last line of text. The document is signed by "Gerard" on 23 February 1779 in Philadelphia. Gerard is Conrad Alexander Gerard, the first French minister to the United States, in Philadelphia from 1778 to 1779. Also signed by "Son Excellence Vitry."

Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806
Gerard, Conrad Alexandre, 1729-1790

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources