1From John Adams to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 9 July 1798 (Adams Papers)
Your respectfull Address, has been presented to be by your Senators in Congress Mr Laurence and Mr North who are also Members of your Society. The interesting and critical Situation of our Country, threatoned as it is by a very powerfull foreign Nation, could not fail to command the Attention of Gentlemen of your Characters and Habits of Life. I am very happy to find that your Opinions...
2From James Madison to Baron von Steuben, 2 May 1792 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 27th. April. Having heard nothing from Virginia on the subject of your lands since I last wrote to you, I cannot now advise what are the further steps most proper to be taken in your behalf. Govr. Lee I hope has not been inattentive to your interest. As soon as an opportunity of co-operating with him shall be in my power, I shall not fail to comply with your...
3From James Madison to Baron von Steuben, 13 December 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have not been neglectful of your commission, though I am so late in making report of my proceedings. Whilst I was in Virginia I laid a train for remitting to Col: Anderson the money lodged with me, and since my arrival here I have learned that it is gone to him by a safe hand. I also wrote to a friend in Richmond, desiring the proper steps to be taken there for obtaining patents. An answer...
4From George Washington to Steuben, 10 November 1787 (Washington Papers)
The letter with which you were pleased to honor me, dated the 26th Ult., came duly to hand. By the same Post, I received a letter from Mr Secretary Thompson (by order of Congress)requesting a copy of the report of a Committee which was transmitted to me by Mr President Laurens, in Feby 1778. This is accordingly sent, and is the counterpart of the paper I herewith enclose, for your own...
5From George Washington to Steuben, 15 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have perused with attention, the plan which you have formed for establishing a Continental Legion, and for training a certain part of the Arms bearing men of the Union as a Militia, in times of Peace—and with the small alterations which have been suggested & made, I very much approve of it. It was no unpleasing and flattering circumstance to me, to find such a coincidence of ideas as appear...
6From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 23 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ I have taken frequent opportunities, both in public & private, of acknowledging your great zeal, attention & abilities in performing the duties of your Office; yet I wish to make use of this last moment of my public life, to signifie in the strongest terms my entire approbation of your conduct, and to express my sense of the obligations the public is under to you, for your faithful &...
7From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 8 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been favored with your two Letters, the former inclosing sundry Discharges which were signed and returned to you immediately—the latter inclosing a Certificate for Jno. Sloan which is now returned with my certificate of his being entitled to the Pension. I will request Genl Lincoln to take measures for having those Invalids who are to go to West Point conveyed thither by water—this may...
8From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I am informed that there are at Philadelphia Six or Eight Officers and about one Company of the Invalid Regiment—that some of the Officers by the loss of Limbs and other inabilities are rendered totally incapable of acquiring by their own exertions a support in life others are in a degree debilitated whilst some are recovered from their Wounds and enjoy a good State of Health—the Men also must...
9From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 3 August 1783 (Washington Papers)
Mr Cassady (who will have the honour of delivering this Letter to you) being a Gentleman of respectable Character, and having been long resident at Detroit, is dispatched by me to that place, in order to find out the dispositions of the Inhabitants and to make any inquiries which may be useful to you on your arrival. I am the rather induced to adopt this measure for fear you should be delayed...
10From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency, in the Moment of his Departure, directs me to inform you, that being ignorant of the Encouragement Majr L’Enfant has a right to claim from you, it is difficult for him to determine the question you put—But was he to decide, he should have no other Mode of doing it than by Seniority. Most respectfully I am Dr Baron Your most Obedt Servt NHi : Steuben Papers.
11From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 12 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
In Consequence of Powers in me vested for that purpose, I do hereby authorize and desire you to proceed, with such dispatch as you shall find convenient, into Canada, and there concert with Genl Haldimand, or the British Commander in Cheif, in that Province, upon all such measures as shall be found necessary for receiving possession of the posts now under his Command within the Teritory ceded...
12From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 8 July 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have duly recd your two favors of the 5th by Express—it was indeed an unfortunate circumstance that the Resolution of the 12th of May respecting the frontier Posts could not have been sooner known & acted upon—as it is, we must make the best of what remains for us to arrange—on which subject it is not necessary for me to enlarge, as I shall probably have the pleasure of seeing you here...
13From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 25 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
I refer to your consideration A Memorial of Mr Hoaksley with sundry other papers relative to the condemnation of Merchandize &c. at York Town, said to have been carried in a Flag of Truce from N. York to Virginia—After an investigation of the Papers & the examination of Mr Hoaksley you will please to report your Opinion whether any alteration and what, ought to be made in the former decision....
14From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 14 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
A Committee of Congress is appointed to consider what arrangements it will be proper to adopt in the different departments with reference to a peace. Colo. Hamilton who is Chairman of this Committee has written me on this Subject wishing to know my Sentiments at large on such institutions of every kind for the interior defence of these States, as may be best adapted to their circumstances and...
15From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 12 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Taking it for granted the principle is generally understood, that an Officer holding a Commission in the Line of the Army of a superior grade, to that he possesses in a particular Corps, is to roll on all general duties agreeably to his Commission in the Army, and to be considered in the Line of the State to which he belongs, according to the rank he holds in Corps of that State; the following...
16From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 26 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
I was favored by the last Post, with the Report of the Board of Officers respecting Captn Segond’s claim of admission into the Legion of Armand; as it appears to be founded in justice & reason it has my entire approbation, and I presume must be satisfactory. As the prospect of Peace (the more promising than it has been at any former period) is somewhat equivocal; I have determined to put the...
17From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 February 1783 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th of Janry I wrote to Colonel Stewart urging in the strongest terms I was master of, the necessity of his immediately joining the Army; since which time I have not heard a word from him—I now think myself obliged in justice to my own official character, and duty to the Public to signify to you as head of the Department, that it will be essential to the service either for Colonel...
18From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 9 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
In answer to your Letter of yesterdays date, containing the following queries, "Is the Department of Inspector General necessary in the Army, or is it not?" "Has this Department been conducted during the course of five years agreeable to your Wishes, and have the consequences resulting from my exertions as Chief of the Department answered your Expectations?" I give it as my clear opinion that...
19From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 12 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
The propositions of Count Beniowsky which you put into my hands for consideration—I have read—and beg leave to observe thereupon, that the utility of his plan for introducing a Legionary Corps of Germans into the Service of the United States of America, depends, in my opinion, upon the Political state of Affairs in Europe—the probability of Wars continuing—and the mode of conducting it. As...
20From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 8 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your favor of the 6th. Whether the duties of the assistant Inspectors will or will not admit of their performing other duties incident to Officers of their rank remains yet to be tried. Upon a supposition that they will—I shall consent to their being put upon the General Roster of the Army, and that they shall be, in their turn, eligible to command upon detachment or otherwise,...
21From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 4 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
It would give me much pleasure in answering your letter of this date, if I could deliver such an opinion as would perfectly accord with the wishes of yourself, and the Gentn who are had in contemplation as Assistant Inspectors—But despairing of this, I shall submit such an one as candor, and a desire of information may require. My opinion has uniformly been that throwing the Inspectorate &...
22From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Genl Lincoln, with whom I have conversed on the subject of taking Majr Walker into my family as an Aid de Camp, consents freely to leave the determination to his own choice—That this choice may be entirely unembarrassed by a direct application from me, and that Majr Walker may have time to consider the two offers in every point of view I shall be obliged to you to intimate mine to him, and...
23From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 23 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Letter of this date see 22 Oct. inclosing one from Colo. Febiger to you—The representation you have given me of the state of the officers makes me Feel very sensibly for them, and I could wish the means in my power, for their relief, were equal to my inclinations, but as I am divested of them, I can do no more than recommend them, with others, to Congress & their...
24From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 16 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 21st of April, and by your letters of a later date, which I have seen published, I am informed of the progress of the Enemy as far as petersburgh. It gave me pleasure to find that the behaviour of the Militia merited your thanks. I hope the advance of the Marquis with the troops under his command would give fresh spirits to the Militia, and enable your...
25From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 1 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your favor of the 15th. Had it been possible for you to have carried your plan of marching suddenly into North Carolina into execution it would most probably have occasioned the ruin of Lord Cornwallis—But this is one of the thousand instances which daily shew the evils resulting from feeding and paying troops which can only be used for local purposes. The arms which Capt. la...
26From George Washington to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
It gives me great satisfaction, My Dear Baron, amidst the innumerable sollicitudes and embarrassments, with which I am surrounded, that I can unbosom myself with perfect security, to my confidential friends, and at the same time assure myself of their best advice & assistance in the management of the most delicate matters. At this moment, I will frankly confess to you, I am extremely perplexed...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 27 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
When we desired the resigned and supernumerary officers to come into command, we took the liberty, after establishing the rules by which they should be given, to ask the favor of you to arrange the Commands accordingly. As the gentlemen are likely to be exposed in action with the enemy, and if taken would have no commissions to produce, circumstances which give them uneasiness, I will ask the...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Maury, owner of the Brigantine Alert, engaged and fitted as a flag for carrying tobacco to Charles town waits on you to see whether a permit can be obtained for her. You will be pleased to follow your own judgment whether the time be proper to negotiate on this subject. Whenever you think it so, I am of opinion it would be expedient to send the single vessel as first agreed to by Genl....
29From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 2[6] April [1781] (Jefferson Papers)
One half the Cumberland militia and of those of Amelia were ordered down. Some of the former are come in. I have ordered them to go to you, but what should be done with such of them as have no arms I think doubtful. We have found by experience that the men of those counties where the enemy are, cannot be kept in the field. They desert and carry off their arms. It also seems reasonable that...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
An Officer from Cumberland having called on me this morning to direct what should be done with his unarmed Men, I took the Liberty by him of stating to you the order in which I thought the Militia should be discharged. I did this hastily while he was waiting and must now on more mature Reflection beg leave to correct in some Degree what I then wrote and to take up the whole subject. Fauquier,...