Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus, Baron von, Inspector General

Autograph letter in French signed ("Steuben"), 2 pages (12 x 7 5/8 in.; 305 x 192 mm), Philadelphia, 14 February 1780, with integral address leaf, to his French-speaking aide-de-camp, Major Benjamin Walker, thanking him for the ordnance returns and confiding that he is planning to resign; large seal tear, another large hole on address leaf, a few seal tears. Folding case of green marbled paper, green morocco spine, brown morocco lettering pieces.

During most of 1779 and 1780 Steuben was absorbed by his duties as inspector general, improving the training and discipline of the army. He also developed a system of accountability that substantially eliminated the waste of public property that was so prevalent at the beginning of the war.  After thanking Walker for his musket return, he mentions that he or the "American General" will perform an inspection and that will insist "on the uniformity of those that I have adopted." Organization in the army has him so disgusted that he confides that his "reign is no longer of this world. The letter to Congress in which I hand in my resignation is on the table." He intended to send it that very day, but a friend persuaded him to wait two more days.  He did not resign and was later sent to join Greene in the Carolinas to reorganize the southern army and 1783 helped Washington plan for the future defense of the country as well as the demobilization of the Continental Army.