To John Jay from Alexander Hamilton, 7 December 1784
From Alexander Hamilton
[NY. Decr. 7. 1784]
Dear Sir
The Baron De Steuben has informed me that he is about to set out for Trenton, where he expects to make application to Congress for a final settlement of his pretensions.1 I feel myself so much interested in the success of his intended application, that I cannot forbear taking the liberty to recommend his case to your particular patronage. I have been an eye-witness to the services he has rendered this Country— I will venture to say they have been of essential weight in the revolution. ’Tis unquestionably to his efforts we are indebted for the introduction of discipline in the Army; and that against a torrent of prejudice and opposition— Tis to that discipline we owe the figure
we made with an handful of men in the latter periods of the war— Tis to that discipline we owe savings of different kinds of the utmost importance to our exhausted finances— The Baron De Steuben, whatever pride or personalty may say, is one of the few men who in the military line has rendered substantial services to the American cause. Justice demands he should have a liberal compensation— The reputation of our Country will not permit, that he be necessitated to quit us to solicit the bounty of those whom he has not served—
You my Dear Sir, I know will feel properly what justice and national reputation will dictate upon this occasion— But your absence from America has perhaps prevented your receiving in some respects just representations of Men and things— I flatter myself that which I now make to you will be received as a just one—
The Baron, if he remains in this Country will continue a citizen of New York. It seems to me, circumstanced as we are, it is not a contemptible object to give him inducements to stay among us to a man whose military experience would be of singular advantage, in forming those establishments to which we may be driven.2
I Shall not dwell longer on the subject, as I am convinced I need not multiply considerations to induce you to do whatever is possible or proper3 I remain with the most sincere & respectful attachment Dr Sir— Your Obedt
Alex Hamilton
ALS, NjP: Andre deCoppet. C, NUtHi: James Watson (EJ: 6302); , 3: 588–89.
1. Hamilton had championed Steuben’s December 1782 appeal to Congress for recompense for his services, which he had originally tendered without requesting either rank or pay. Prior to his retirement from the army, on 21 Mar. 1784, Steuben reminded Congress of its favorable action on his 1782 request. On 15 Apr. 1784 Congress ordered the superintendent of finance Robert Morris to advance Steuben $10,000. On 5 Feb. 1785 (ALS, DNA: PCC, item 19, 5: 549–52) Steuben submitted another memorial asking for payment of two liquidated debts totaling $7,826 53/ 90ths and the interest due on them. This request was referred to a committee consisting of David Howell, Elbridge Gerry, Hugh Williamson, Samuel Hardy, and Lambert Cadwallader, which on 17 Mar. 1785 recommended paying Steuben $25,000 in installments for “having relinquished different posts of honor and emolument in Europe, and rendered to the United States most essential services.” Although the resolution passed with amendments on 23 Mar., it was recommitted on 7 July 1785, and no further action was taken. Steuben was finally compensated in 1790, when the United States Congress passed and the president approved an act to adjust and satisfy his claims. See , 28: 60n, 170–71n, 918n; , 9: 352–53; , 3: 233n; and PGW, Confederation Series, 1: 214–15; U.S. House Journal, 2nd Congress, 2nd Session (4 Jan.–12 Aug. 1790), 3 June and 4 June 1790, 233–34.
2. Steuben subsequently submitted a plan for a peacetime military establishment. See PGW, Confederation Series, 1: 220–21.
3. No evidence has been found for action by JJ on Steuben’s account.