Autographs
Baron von Steuben Pens His Reaction to Alexander Hamilton Regarding the Rejection by Congress of General George Washington's Defense Proposals "Sentiments on a Peace Establishment" Advocating the Establishment of a Permanent Army & National Militia
BARON FRIEDRICH WILHELM AUGUST HEINRICH FERDINAND von STEUBEN (1730-1794). Major General of the American Continental Army during the Revolutionary War; one of the Fathers of the Continental Army; wrote “Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States.”
c. 1783 Revolutionary War Era, Important Historic Content, Autograph Letter Signed, “Steuben” as Advisor to General George Washington, to Alexander Hamilton, written in French, 1 full page, measuring 9‘ x 7.5”, Quarto, no date or place (c. Spring/Summer of 1783), Choice Very Fine. At the time of this remarkable Letter, Baron von Steuben was serving as a Military Adviser to General George Washington. His military service lasting until his final discharge from the Continental Army on March 24, 1784. (Von Steuben had served in the Army throughout the Revolutionary War without pay. Finally, in 1790, Congress granted him a lifetime pension of $2,800.) This Letter is written to Alexander Hamilton (1755- 1804), who was then serving as a Member of the Continental Congress (1782-83). On April 7, 1783, Alexander Hamilton was appointed a Member of a Committee, also including James Madison, Samuel Osgood [replaced on May 6th by Samuel Holton], James Wilson and Oliver Ellsworth, to consider the proper arrangements to be taken in case of a General Peace. Thus, in the Spring of 1783, Baron von Steuben first assisted General George Washington in his preparation of a plan for the future defense of the United States, and towards for the demobilization of the existing Continental Army.

George Washington presented to Congress his plan in regarding the new nation's future military needs. His "Sentiments on a Peace Establishment" which advocated the establishment of a small permanent army and a national militia, was rejected. Washington's emphasis on military preparedness, a select Militia, and a “Peacetime Standing Army” to protect republican institutions from foreign invasion and domestic insurrection, never stood a chance of enactment. Congress had traditional fears of a “Standing Army” in Peacetime, coupled with the nation's financial weakness. Here, translated, Baron Von Steuben pens, in full:

"Where were you Hamilton when that sentence was pronounced which the Minister of War put into execution? It is finished. The blow is accomplished. I shall take care not to paint a picture of what I saw - of what I heard - and still less of what / felt since the arrival of the good man, whose portfolio was always Pandora's Box for this poor and respectable loved one.

See how my garden is destroyed, my friend. The fate of our ancient colleagues is hard - hard beyond expectation. As the truth of the scene surpasses the appearance, I do not wish to attempt to trace it.

Remember my friend, that I am in the service of the Continental Congress - of its representatives. Do not allow my fate to be determined by a County man. When it is time, give me guidance with your advice. You have always honored me with your friendship, and I flatter myself that I am worthy of it.

Will you leave to the good man the formation of your Peace Establishment? If that is so, take up the pen and cross out my name. I am not of his county, nor in any way of his sentiments.

I am enclosing here the copy of an address from the officers of your line, from these same officers that I have never praised with low flattery and of whom is required as strict subordination as in the most generously paid army. This address pays tribute to their sentiments, and is the consolation of my old age. My heart is oppressed, Hamilton. A line from you will comfort the sorrows of your old friend. I flatter myself that you will write by the first post. --- (Signed) Steuben".

One year later, in the Spring of 1784, Baron von Steuben was to present to George Washington a further plan for establishing a “Continental Legion” and a National Militia in times of Peace. In a Letter to Baron von Steuben dated March 15, 1784, Washington wholeheartedly agreed with von Steuben's proposal, writing:

"... It was no unpleasing, and flattering circumstance to me, to find such a coincidence of ideas as appear to run thro' your plan, and the one I had the honor to lay before a Committee of Congress in May last. Mine however, was a hasty production, the consequence of a sudden call, and little time for arrangement. Yours of maturer thought and better digestion, I, at the same time that I hinted the propriety of a Continental Militia; glided almost insensibly into what I thought would, rather than what I conceived ought to be a proper peace Establishment for this Country."

On June 2, 1784, Henry Knox, the Ranking Senior Military Officer, discharged, upon the direct order from Congress, all but 80 Soldiers. However, on the very next day, Congress erected the first National Peacetime Military Force in American history, in recommending that several States furnish 700 men from their militias to serve one year terms of service. An extraordinary, historically significant, original Baron von Steuben Autograph Letter with superb associations to the likes of Alexander Hamilton.


FRIEDRICH WILHELM LUDOLF GERHARD AUGUSTIN von STEUBEN, (1730-1794). Famous as a Prussian-born American Revolutionary War Soldier. Came to America in 1777, recommended to General George Washington by Benjamin Franklin. Baron von Steuben reported to Washington at Valley Forge Camp on February 23, 1778, and was designated Inspector General of the Continental Army, invested with the task of training the Continental Army.

Successful in his reorganization of the army, he was Commissioned a Major General and engaged the British at Monmouth and Yorktown. Von Steuben became Washington's trusted adviser. After an honorable discharge from the army after the Revolutionary War, he was one of the Founders of the “Society of the Cincinnati “(1784), which was open to all former officers who served honorably during the American Revolution. Other Co-founders included: Henry Knox (1750-1806) and Jedidiah Huntington (1743-1818).

He became a naturalized American citizen (Pennsylvania, 1783; New York, 1786), and settled in New York State (1784-94).