The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-15
STEUBEN,S COMING.
Final Contribution 70 the Persistent
Dispute Over His Inspiration.

To II EDITOR OF THE SUN-Str: Your
correspondent 49," still hugs the delu-
sion that this country N under oblisa-
ton to Germany for Steuben's services,
and he takes exception to my statement
that Steuben was found, employed and
sent here by the French Government at
It's expense. In 'analyzing" that state
ment 49," points out that Steuben Dor
rOwed from Beaumarchais tho money
to Mt him out for his journey to the
United States, INC he reasons thus:
Surely Beaumarchais's money was not the
French Go~srnments; and Il was only 9
loan by ore friend to another, not a gift
that Steuben accepted from Beaumarchais.
1t was therefore Steuben's money for the
time being. Steuben came to our cid with
the knowledge and consent Of his King.
Frederick the Great Of Prussia, the Ger
many OF those days. and at = great per-
sonal sacrifice OF money and position.
All this is not found in the article
'tSteuben' in the American Encyclo-
pedia. Vol. XIV, In which the following
occurs
In i777 while on . visit 10 France he
tSteubcnI was induced by the Count st.
Germadn tthen French Minister OF war1
to 20 to America.
See also "Steuben' in the Grande En-
cyclopedie. Vol. xXX., in which II IL said
that Steuben "fut embauche par Saint
German ct Beaumarchais pour rAmer-
ique t77O" Twas enlisted by Saint
German and Beaumarchais for America
t177O1.
Steuben did obtain from Beaumar-
chais the funds needed to equip not only
himself but his nephews and defray the
expenses of the trip to America, and.
indeed. 1t il established that that money
became Steuben's not only FOR the time
being but remained such for ever after.
Perkins in his notable work France
in the American Revolution" G911)
quotes at page 105 "A letter received here
from Beaumarchais in which reference
is made to Steuben in a passage from
which the folio owing may be quoted
Tell him tstcubenl that his fame pays
the interest OF his debt and that ] have
no doubt OF ITS payment in this way At
usurious RACES.
The author adds at page 1906
This was apparently the only payment
ever made, for at the inventory OF Beau
marchais's assets after his death IN 1873
there appears An advance made TO Steu-
ben and his nephevs in order that they
might go TO America . . and II the
interest on the debt was paid by Steu-
oen's fame. the principal remained wholly
unliQuidated.
"S." seems that Beaumar-
chais was the agent for the French Gov
nme in many transactions entered
into for the benefit OF the American
Revolution, that the Comte de Saint
Germain awaited himself very extern
sively OF the services of Reaumarchais.
who used Bordeaux as a base for send
ing aid in various forms to the forces
under Washington.
That Steuben came to America with
the knowledge and consent of Frederick
the Great Is asserted by "S.," hut he
does not give his authority for that
statement. the accuracy Of which !
And myself entirely unable to sub
stantiate. On the other hand "S." pro-
duces evidence indicating that the free
air of America had its effect on a few
Of odd Knip's' many Hessians. lie
"a kes just pride in the fact that some
Of them deserted the cause OF tyranny
to fight under the flag OF liberty. A
struggle for world freedom Is going on
to-day. 1t has revealed the existence
of a Kaiser loving element in our citi-
zenship.
commend to our Kaiser lovers the
example of the few Hessians in whom
-" justly takes pride.
MAURICE LEON.
NEW YORK. December II.