The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-09-01

On the 1st day of December 1777 a vessel from
Marseilles entered the harbor of Portsmouth, New
Hampshire freighted with supplies and munitions
of war for the American army, then encamped in
winter quarters at Valley Forge, near Philadel-
phia This vessel was owned by PIERRE AUGUs-
TIN CARoN de BEAUMARCHAE, the author of ''The
Mayriqge Of Figaro" and whose romantic and
versatile career, as wit, dramatist diplomatist,
pleader merchant, and ship owner, has made his
name world famous. On receiving, for the first
time from Europe, such cargo of cannons pow
der, guns, coats, and shoes for twenty-five thou
sand men, the citizens of Portsmouth assembled
on the Shore and applauded vchemenuy Nor
were the passengers on board welcomed less
warmly for the seasonable supplies they had
brought with them. They had left the gay salons
Of Paris to take part in the struggle for American
independence, and it was fitting they should he
cordially received and Hospitality entertained for
FREDERICK WILLIAM AUGUSTUS, BARON Won STEUREN
had seen much arduouS service under FREDERICE
the Great, whose aide-dc-cqmp and Lieutenant-Gen-
era he had been, and to whose varying fortunes
he had clung with unwavering fidelity throughout
the desperate conflict known as the Seven Years
w al. <NlllIhSu " tIc Stilc Ol ISTECBEN, as MS
Secretary and aide-de-cdmp, was PETER S. DU
PoNcEAU, subsequently so well known as the
President of the American Philosophical Society.
and the most distinguished philologst of the
day. In addition to the Secretary, the Baron
accompanied by a celebrated French
cook 1t harmless vanity which
was speedily cured on his arrival at Valley Force,
where the representative of the great VATTEL
found that utensils for preparing meal were not
to be had, and that the meal was frequently as
scarce as the utensils. ''Under happier crcum-
stances, mon Geaeral," said the cook, at would
''be my ambition to serve you; but here have
''no chance of displaying my talents. These
"Americans roast their meat on string before a
'fre and your WAGNER is just as able to turn
''the string as | ann The cook went but the
Baron remained. His offer Of service was readily
accepted by WASHINGTON, through whose influence
he was appointed Inspector General with the rank
OF Major-General. The raw levies of which the
American army was principally composed soon
experienced the advantage of the Baron's knowl-
edge, as tactician and a disciplinarian Though
a martinez, STEUBEN was an excellent soldier:
Jealous IN the cause Of independence and indcflt-
lgabie IN the performance of his duty. Hot
teSty, and choeric, he stormcd at the awkward
ness of his recruits, in good German and cxecrabe
English; eXacted the strictcst subordination from
men of all ranks snubbed numerically the van
lty of aspiring colonies of militia; but showed, in
his own conduct towards his supcriors, an example
OF Implicit obedience and ready Difference TO al-
thorlty. WASHINGTON, that E'man of men," was
strongly attached TO STEUREN, and the good Baron
reverently appreciated the great qualities of his
Commander-iu-Chief STEUBEN was n bluff plain
spoken soldier; frank and honest in his opinions:
generous to fault and humane as he was oene-
rous. Through all the vicissitudcs of the Seven
Years War; in Germany, he had borne himself
CALAMITY and the severe training he had under-
gone in the school of FREDERICK the Great enabled
him to bear the hardShips and privations of the
War of independence chcerfully, and without a
murmur, except when his patience was taxed too
heavily by datory officials or By the apathy and
indifference of public men. He shared with
WASHINGTON the Campaign in New Jersey. and
was present at the Battle of Monmouth. When
the tide of war rolled Southwark, he was placed
In control of the military defences of VIRGINIA
during the invasion of PHILLIPS and ARyo1n
When superseded in his command by the arrival
continued to accompany the movements of
the army, which had then become of ne
cnllar interest," from the advance of CORVALLIS
through the Caronas into Virginia while GREEN
was marching upon the outposts of RAwpoN at
Camden. Followed by La FAYETTE CoRNw.1LIs
retired slowly down the James river TO Yorl, Town
where in obedience TO orders from Sir HENRY
CLINTON, he fortified himself until such time as the
arrival OF British Squadron should enable him to
embark for New York. Hearing of the arrival of
CoRNwALLIs at York Town, and favored by the
promised cooperation of French fleet in the
Chesapeake, WASHINGTON, by skilfully masking
his movements, deceived CLINTON and pusbrno
rapidly for the head of Elk sailed down the
Chesapeake Bay and forming junction with
LA FAYETTE, laid seige to York Town. Here
alSo' oTEUhEN nobly performed his duty
not only as soldier but as man
lie SOLD his watch to relieve the necessities of a
brother officer who was lying in the Camp sick and
destitute Poor NORTH was sick, and wanted
necessities, said the Baron, che is a brave fell
Glow, and possesses the best of hearts-and so the
Baron parted with his watch, and the wants of
poor North were relieved CoRNwALLIs capltu-
lated, and the superior officers of the allied armies
generously sought to alleviate the dependency of
the captives by acts of courtesy and attention.
STEUBEN was poor, but he recognized the claims of
hospitality, and sold his favorte horse to provide
the means of entertaining the British officers
lis good beast" said the Baron "and has
"proyed faithful servant through all the dancers
''of the war; but though separation is painful to
''me, we mnst part Then drawing himself up
DrOu6lV fhp bravo old Rarnp bo
"a Maior-Gcneral in the army of the TTyITFn
STATES, and my private convenience must not be
put in q scale with the duty my rank mperionsly
"calls upon me to perform" With the surrender
OF CoRNwALLIs at York Town, the war of Indepen-
oence was virtually brought to close. Of all the
soiuierS OF Fortune who joined the army of hide
Penuehce' SrEUBEN alone remained MONTGOMERY
' i''ien' early in the struggle before the walls of
- = 0ANshl met soldiers death at the storm
'.'''i,'ln' DE kALB was mortalIv wounded
1t '"e o't'ieo camden. La FAYETTE and EoscirsKo
eehioalN eu lor Europe. SrEUnEv retircd 10 Now |
ioiN where he continued to reside until his dootb |
III 800 rive years previous to his decooso No.,
gress granted him an annuity of two a.,
dollars, IN acknowledgment of his Mite.
ceS; ana now, after the lapse of sixty-tl,roo -
sixty associations of citizens assemble too, "
morrow, III this city, for the purpose of r,i,;s,
funds towards the erection of a suitable monnraa,s
in honor of the companion in arms of the oraat
'WAsmScToN." 1t is Il project worthy alike Of
the German name and honorable to the patriotism
OF our fellow citizens. That it will be carried out
In the good old-faShioned way, 'unhasting, I'M
resting" as GOETHE has it, we have every reason
10 believe; and that this tribute 10 the memory
OF soldier who had fought successfully tbropob |
"'O ""iS Vi independence is well deserved no one
can doubt who has corof,II WOOL a., !: