Spanish Army. SIGNED LETTER FROM BARON THIEBAULT, CERTIFYING MR. DE GAMA'S DEVOTION TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE DUKE OF ABRANTÈS IN 1807 AND 1808 IN PORTUGAL, Vitoria October 14, 1812. 18906-1

Spanish Army. SIGNED LETTER BY BARON THIEBAULT, CERTIFYING THE DEVOTION OF MR. DE GAMA TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE DUKE OF ABRANTÈS IN 1807 AND 1808 IN PORTUGAL, Vitoria October 14, 1812. 18906-1

Beautiful piece with a red wax seal at the bottom of the page signed by General Thiebault Paul Charles François, divisional general, superior commander.

"I, the undersigned, certify that among the Portuguese officers who, during the campaign that his Excellency the Duke of Abrantes' army conducted in Portugal in 1807 and 1808, declared themselves for the cause of France and the Emperor, none did so with more devotion and enthusiasm than Mr. de Gama.
I also certify that this officer, having been constantly employed alongside me in my capacity as Chief of the General Staff of the army, I was able to judge him more particularly than any other, and I could only praise his zeal [...] several officers having unsuccessfully been tasked with delivering dispatches of the utmost importance to General Count Loyson in Almeida, Mr. de Gama offered to attempt to reach him and devoted himself in this occasion in the most honorable manner. He was captured during the journey and only miraculously saved his life; but even his lack of success adds to his merits, as it demonstrates how commendable it was to volunteer for a mission that no other dared to accept, and that truly no one else could fulfill [...]
Done in Vitoria on October 14, 1812."

Dimensions: 29 cm x 20 cm. 1 page.
Very good condition, fold marks, minor foxing.

* Paul Charles François, Baron THIEBAULT, general, born in Berlin in 1768, died in Paris in 1846. Divisional general in 1808. Commanded the province of Burgos in 1809, Chief of Staff of the 9th corps in Spain in 1810, commanded a division in the army of the North in Spain in January 1812.