From George Washington to Anthony Wayne, 12 September 1791
To Anthony Wayne
Philadelphia, September 12th 1791
Dear Sir,
Your letter of yesterday was presented to me this day—but at a time when I was in conversation with a Gentleman on business.1
I embrace the first moment of leisure to acknowledge the receipt of it, and to add assurances of my belief that the account given by Mr Sheuber of his leaving the british service, and bringing letters to me whilst my quarters were at Rocky Hill is true.2
I have some recollection of the circumstance, but not enough to give a formal certificate to the fact.
The variety of occurrences, which, in those days, almost overwhelmed me—The time which has elapsed since—and an unwillingness to certify things that I am not positively sure of are my reasons for not complying with Mr Sheuber’s request in a formal way; but if the sentiments, herein expressed, can be of service to him, I have no objection to his making use of them as coming from Dear Sir, Your most obedient humble Servant
G. Washington
LB, DLC:GW.
1. Anthony Wayne sent GW from Philadelphia on 11 Sept. two letters that Justus Hartman Scheuber (b. 1751/2) of Savannah had written Wayne, mentioning “certain facts relative to his quiting the British service at Newyork in the year 1783 after having resigned his Commission as an Officer in one of the German Regements—& that he brought a letter of introduction from Colo. Wm S. Smith, when Head Quarters was at Rocky Hill. The object that Mr Sheuber has in view is to be recognized by your Excellency, as having come out from Newyork under the Character of a Gentleman—which Character he supported whilst he remained in this City, as you will Observe by the inclosed letter from the Honble Fredreck A. Muhlenberg, shou’d these circumstances be such as to bring him to your recollection—the acknowledgment will be greatful to the feelings of a man of Worth & honor . . . I have to ask a thousand pardons for troubling you so often upon this Occasion—but as I shall sail on Thursday next for Charleston—I wished to have it in my power to Oblige Mr Sheuber—shou’d you have any Commands to that Quarter, I will do myself the honor to call for them on Wednesday—I expect to return here again in the Course of four Weeks” (DLC:GW). The enclosed letter from Muhlenberg has not been found.
2. William Stephens Smith wrote to GW on 5 Sept. 1783 that “By the Bearer Ensn Shyber late of the German Troops, I send the Caps for the Boy’s, should they prove too large—smal cushons within the Crown will make them fit & sett easier than without. The aforemention’d Gentleman was A. D. Camp to Lt Genl De Knoblock has obtain’d a very honourable dissmission and intends settling in this Country” (DLC:GW). GW acknowledged the letter from Smith on 10 Oct. 1783. Ensign Scheuber served under Maj. Gen. Hans von Knoblauch from 1781 to 1783.