The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-10-07
BARON sTEUBEN'S COMING.
Further Historical Documents Revealing
Erederick,s Attitude.

10 THE OF lHE pIN-GWs Ioui
instructive editorial article of October
ia welcome contribution to history.
But are you not somewhat severe on
Congressman Bartholdt in expecting
from him such exact knowledge as may
be had from the erudte historian who
II at present the French Ambassador at
Washington? Mr.. Jusserand recently
cited Franklin's letter to Washington OF
September 4, 1871, in which he says:
He tsteubenl was recommended 20 ue by
two OF the best Judges OF military merit In
this country. NJ. dc vergennes and ". de
Saint GERMAN. who have long been &C
quainted with him and interest themselves
In his voyage.
At Baron Steubens first interview
with Silas Dcane and Franklin. upon The
Introduction OF Beaumarchais. mention
was made Of the question OF disburse-
ments for the expense OF his journey. to
which Franklin replied that advances
were out of the question and said II in
such "A way as to give offence TO Steuben.
who reported to Beaumarchais that he
wished TO hear no more about America.
When Beaumarchais learned the cause OK
this dissatisfaction he told Steuben that
~ he wanted nothing but money.
thousand louis dor and more were at
his service"
Steuben thanked him but persisted IN
his course only later after interviews
with the Prince de Montharcy and With
Prince Louis William OF Baden. a Gen
eral In the Dutch army. he decided TO
make the journey and join the army
the simple capacity OF volunteer. enter
ing into no arrangements with the
American agents for money or the ex-
penses OF his Journey. asking only FOR
letters OF Introduction to leading me,n-
bers of Congress
This IL confirmed by letter from
Steuben TO Alexander Hamilton Of jan
uary 90, 1900. where he explains that he
had been admonished OF the discomfort
occaspned by the preferment of foreign
officers and that ANY condition proposed
by men tending to insure me recon-
pense proportional to ~ sacrifices
would have rendered all my negotiations
abortive" and he consequently deter
mined ito serve as volunteer without
rank or pay, which could give no
umbrage"
II was Beaumarchas who advanced
him personally the money for his ex-
penses, and as TO future compensation
Baron Steubens letter of July T. l779,
states "a considerable pension from
France, after the successfully termina-
ton OF the war. was pledged to me by
the French court before my departure
for America"
Frederick the Great was apparently
not concerned in Baron Steuben's enlist
ment, nor. II we may trust Carlyle, was
he concerned in the American conflict.
This is Carlyle's language:
Lee had indeed been urgent at Berlin;
had raised In Friedrich the question Have
you got to such a condition that ! can
with safety and advantage make a treaty
~ commerce with you3" That his Minister
Schulenberg has nv order been investigat-
ing Lee on that head and has reported:
no, your Majesty. Lee and People not
in such a condition: that his Majesty has
replied: Well let him wait I'll they are"
and that Lee is waiting accordingly, In
general that his Majesty II not less con
cerned In guidance or encouragement Of
the American War than he is In Ditto OF
the Atlantic Tides or tho East wind
This as Mr.. Jusserand has pointed out,
Is confirmed by Lees letter OF July rs,
l777, to Washington, during that sor
rowful waiting time, In which he ex-
presses the hope that he has found "a
favorable opportunity Of pressing for aid
OF the King in artillery, arms and money,
OF which / was well Informed he has a
considerable sum in his treasury" We
see from Carlyle that the favorable
opportunity" did not arise and, accord
ing 10 the prudent Frederick. could
not arise until the King saw in it his
advantage"
A letter from Franklin to Lafayette OF
April Il. 1887. after ten years more OF
experience, closes this incident I'm this
language: 81 do not wonder that the
Germans, who know little of free cons:i-
tutions, should be ready TO suppose that
such cannot support themselves. We
think they may and we hope TO prove ~"
NEW YORK, October 6. y. +.