To Alexander Hamilton from Baron von Steuben, 14 December [1784]
From Baron von Steuben
Trenton ce 14. Dec: [1784]
Mon Ami! J’ai remis Votre lettre a Mr: J.1 Je le trouve disposé a Seconder mes demandes, Lesquels d’après son opinion je doit presenter au Congres sans perte de tems; quand meme la decision devroit en etre retarde. Ainsi Envoyer moi le Memoire sans delai,2 je L’attendroi ici a Trenton avant que J’aille a Philadelphie.
Il S’agit de nommer un Secretair ou Ministre de Guerre, Le Gros Candidat du North serat sans doute proposé par ses compatriottes,3 je n’en connois point d’autre; Si Le Congres avoit deja satisfait a mes pretensions je pourrai bien Entrer en Lice. Dites moi Votre sentimens la dessus.
Le Marquis4 a pris Congé de moi sans toucher le sujet; pour ne pas Lui Causer de L’Ennui dans un païs ou il ne devroit pas en Avoir—je ne Lui ai pas meme demander si Mr: de Chattelleur5 Lui avoit remis ma Lettre.
Envoyes moi le Memoire Mon Ami, je Vous Embrasse Steuben Coll. Hammilton.
ALS, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress.
1. See H to John Jay, December 7, 1784. As von Steuben indicates, H’s letter to Jay was delivered by von Steuben who attended the Continental Congress which was in session at Trenton.
2. The memorandum has not been found. It presumably was one of the many letters which H drafted for von Steuben’s signature setting forth the Baron’s claim for compensation from Congress.
3. On October 30, 1783, Benjamin Lincoln resigned as Secretary at War. A successor was not appointed until a year and a half later. “Le Gros Candidat du North” to whom von Steuben refers was probably Henry Knox who, in March, 1785, succeeded Lincoln.
4. On December 11, 1784, the Continental Congress had made a formal presentation of an address to Lafayette who on December 13 left Trenton where the Congress was in session for New York.
5. Probably the Marquis de Chastellux, a major general in the army of Rochambeau, who came to America in 1780.