Friedrich von Steuben to William North reminiscing about the Revolutionary War and discussing current political issues - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC02542.12
From Archive Folder	Collection of correspondence of the North Family
Title	Friedrich von Steuben to William North reminiscing about the Revolutionary War and discussing current political issues
Date	18 September 1788
Author	Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand (1730-1794)
Recipient	North, William
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Whimsical letter written by Von Steuben in retirement and in debt in New York to his former aide North, who was also in retirement at Duanesburg, New York. Refers to North as "my dear Bill." Looks back on the last year. Mentions that "you did cut your name & mine, in a Big tree" and that the Constitution was signed. Says ten years ago Burgoyne surrendered at Saratoga. Says nothing is decided by Congress, in reference to an application for a pension still pending before that body. Says he is going to winter with Armstrong and that they are going to take the corner house at Nassau Street. "I shall be there in the Neighborhood of the Church, the Major & the Bishop, Armstrong near the Play-house some [ale]-houses & blac Sam." The reference to Black Sam is a reference to Samuel Fraunces, the owner of a tavern at 16 Nassau Street (former owner of the Fraunces Tavern). Says the new government is still trying to settle on the etiquette of their situation. Says that since he was a former courtier he gave advice on abolishing nut cracking. Coyly says "As for the Queens Leve [levee] I shall Say nothing I wishd it could be very late in the Evening & Without Candlelight." Mentions several ambassadors that he has seen.
Subjects	Religion Immigration and Migration US Constitution Revolutionary War General Battle Battle of Saratoga Surrender Global History and Civics Military History Revolutionary War Pension Finance Soldier's Pay Petition Congress Diplomacy Landlord and Tenant Congress of the Confederation President First Lady Entertaining and Hospitality Humor and Satire
People	North, William (1755-1836) Von Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand (1730-1794)
Place written	New York, New York
Theme	Government & Politics; Creating a New Government; The American Revolution; Religion; The Presidency; Merchants & Commerce
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide New-York Sept. 18 1788 Yesterday my dear Bill it was a year, when you did cut your name & mine, in a big tree at Steube it was a year that the Constitution was Signed at Philadelphia, it was elleven years When Burgoin capitulated at Saratoga, & it was ------------fifty Eight years----------------------------- I celebrated the Day in dining with our friend Walker, where we wished health & happiness to Our friend in the woods. Nothing yet from Don Quixote Contrie, the first Vessel must bring letters, till then patience. Nothing yet decided by Congres, a new Report is made, my friends are warm, my Enemies read [sic] hot & all I can do is to keep cool. Armstrong & me have taken our Winter quarters together, on the first of next month we Shall occupy the corner house in Nassau Street where Mr. Charque formerly lived. We pay 48/: till the first of May, I shall be there in the neighborhood of the Church, the Mayor & the Bishop, Armstrong near the Play-hous some B=houses & Black Sam. Our politicians are now busi in setling the Etiquette of the New- Court. A Palais Royal [2] is to be prepared, Audience & Leve Days to be fixed, the ceremonies to be determined, my Opinion as an Old Courtier has been ask'd. I begun by abolishing all nut Craking after the desart, I proposed the number of bows to be recieved & returned, & made Several useful observations. As for the Queen's Leve I Shall Say nothing. I wishd it could be very late in the Evening & Without Candellight. Our travelling French Minister arrived last evening from Albany & Setts out this morning for Boston. I shall not see this Ambassaders Postillion. Van Berkel is become quite a Gentelman [sic], since he is no more Dutch Minister. But What are all these creatures to you & me if nothing arrives from the Escurial, your two Papas will probably come together on a Visit to Douansburg, I must Kill this winter or it Kills me. With impatience I wait for a rapport from Steuben, a certain Sympathie, a certain je ne sai quoi, leads me to suspect that my Old bones will find their rest in this Elisium. My blessings for you, & your Wife & Son Steuben William North [docket] Letter from the Baron Septr. 20th 1788 [address leaf] William North Esqr. Douansbourgh [sic]

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