To George Washington from Steuben, 26 October 1787
From Steuben
[October 26, 1787]
Sir
I have lately made a fresh application to Congress for a final settlement of my affairs on the ground of a contract made with that honorable body previous to my joining the American army.1 The particulars and the evidence of that contract are stated in a printed pamphlet a copy of which Mr. Hamilton informs me he has transmitted to your Excellency.2 I have been just informed that Congress intend making some inquiry of Your Excellency respecting a matter which they suppose will throw light upon the subject.3 I am glad of this reference, because though I doubt that it will be in your power to elucidate the question of the contract, I have entire confidence in your justice and favourable sentiments towards me as to any collateral point which may arise in the inquiry.
The truth is my situation is peculiarly grievous. The manner in which the compensations, I have received from the public have been dealt out to me, has been such as to prevent their having been of any use to me beyond a momentary supply. I trust I shall not be necessitated to abandon a country to which I am attached by the strongest ties to return to Europe destitute of resources with no consolation for my services but the right of complaining of the unkindness of those to whom they were rendered. Surely it cannot redound to the Credit of America to drive me to so painful an extremity. I am persuaded Your Excellencys feelings will not approve of my experiencing so ill-deserved a lot. I have the honor to be With the most perfect respect and esteem Yr Excellencys Most Obed & hum servant
4:286–87. This was a copy of a draft made by Alexander Hamilton;, the letter sent to GW has not been found.
1. For a brief description of Steuben’s efforts in 1782 and again in 1785 to secure from Congress what he considered adequate compensation for his voluntary services as a major general in the Continental army beginning in 1777, see GW to Thomas Jefferson, 15 Mar. 1784, n.1. Steuben’s eight-page letter to Congress, October 1787, and a copy of his account, 1778–86, are both in DNA:PCC, item 19. See also James Duane to Steuben, 16 Oct. 1787, DNA:PCC, item 19.