The Republican journal., 1881-08-25
The following letter has just been made public
DEPARTMENT OF STATE. }

\ r.
W WAsHINGroN. d c , July 30, 1881.
Andrew d. White, Berlin: Sir-During the
darkest period of the Revolutionary War a German
| soldier of character and distinction rendered his
| sword in aid OF American independence Frederic
| William Augustus, Baron Steuben, Joined W ash
| ingtOn at alley Forge in the memorable and dis
astrous winter Of l1S. He attested the sincerity
| of his attachment to the patriot by espouS-
| ing 1t when Its fortunes were adverse, It's pros
| poets gloomy, and its hopes but for the int, nSe
zeal Of he people, well l-nigh crushed The Baron
| Steuben received by W Washington with the
| most cordial welcome and Immediately placed on
| duty as Inspector General of the Army. de
tailed history of his military career in America
! would form an epltome Of the Revolutionary srug
| gle He had served in the Seven years War on
the staff of the great Frederick, and had acquired
in the campaigns Of that master OF military science
| the skill and the experience much needed by the
| unframed soldiers OF the Continental army. The
drill and discipline and effective organization,
| which under the commanding patronage of W ash
| lngton were at once impaired TO the Amencan
| army by the zeal and diligence of Steuben, trans
formed the volunteers and raw levies into veterans
| who successfully met the British regulars in all
the campaigns of the prolonged contest. The final
surrender Of the British army under Lord Corn
wallis occurred at Yorktown Va. on the 10Th day
| of October, ES Baron Steuben bore most con
| spicuOus part i'll the arduouS campaign that ended
| so auspiclously for the Continental Army, and it
fell to his lot to receive the first official notifica
ton of the proposed captulation and to bear it to
| the illustrlous commander in chief The centen-
NAL of that great event i'll American history is
be celebrated with appropriate observances and
| ceremonies on the approaching anniversary
| am directed by the President to tender through
you an invitation to the representatives of Baron
Steubens family in Germany tc attend the York
town celebration as guests of the Government of
| the United States. You will communicate the in
vitation through the Imperial Minister of Foreign
| Affairs, and will express to him the very earnest
desire of this Government that it shall be accept
| ed Those who come representatives of Baron
Steuben will be assured in our day of peace and
| prosperity of as warm a welcome as was gwen to
their illustrious kinsman in the dark days of ad-
versty and war. They will be the honored guests
| of fifty millions of Americans-a vast number of
| whom have German blood in their veins. and con-
stitute one of the most worthy and valuable ele-
ments that make up the strength of the Republic
Intensely devoted with patriotic fidelity to Amer
ica they yet retain and cherish and transmit the
most atfectionate memories of Fatherland. To
these the visit of Baron Steuben's relatives will
have something of the revival of family ties, while
to all Americans, of whatever origin the presence
Of German guests will afford fitting opportunity Of
testifying their respect for that great country
| within whose limits included 50 much of hu
man grandeur and human progress | am, sir,
| your obedient servant JAMES g. BLAINE