French naval officer (1746-1802) who commanded the ship Le Sagittaire as part of Admiral de Grasse's fleet during the American Revolution. Revolutionary War-dated ALS in French, signed “Montluc,” one page, 5.25 x 7.75, March 20, 1781. Handwritten letter from "Aboard the Sagittaire," in full (translated): "The vessel Le Sagittaire is intended to escort ships going to North America. When this ship wants to separate from the army of le comte de Grasse, it will put a red and yellow barred flame at the head of the mainmast, a red flame at the head of the foremast, and it will fire two cannon shots. At this signal, the St. Joseph, as well as all the ships destined for North America will follow the Sagittarius." In fine condition, with scattered light foxing, and an old catalog description lightly affixed to the bottom blank area. Montluc commanded Le Sagittaire, a 50-gun ship built in Toulon, during the American Revolution from March 6, 1781, to September 25, 1782, participating in the capture of Saint-Christophe.
