The Drillmaster

Why, as reported by the New-Jersey Gazette, was "Major-General Baron Steuben" in Trenton in mid-December, 1784? The New Jersey Legislature had voted on December 23, 1783 to give him a confiscated Loyalist estate at New-Bridge, but with the unwelcome proviso that he occupy the place, which had been damaged during the war. Moreover, he’d be given a lifetime tenancy only, when what he needed was to raise cash to pay his debts. The General, who lived in New York, visited Trenton while Congress (which owed him back wages) and the Legislature were in session, and did some lobbying. The immediate result was that the Legislature authorized its agent for forfeited estates to sell the place to the highest bidder, depositing the sale price in an account, from which interest was to be paid to the General. Through his own agent, he then bought the property for 1,500 pounds, and continued lobbying while renting the property to its previous owner. Finally, in 1788, the Legislature relented, giving Steuben title. In a letter dated December 12, 1788, he reported selling "my Jersey Estate" for 1,200 pounds, ending his five-year association with what is still called the Steuben House.

[credit: Charles Willson Peale portrait, National Park Service]