Beschreibung:

STEUBEN, Friedrich Wilhelm von (1730-1794), WALKER, Benjamin (1753-1818), FRAUNCES, Samuel (1723-1795) and others. A collection of manuscripts and documents, c.1780-1792. Twenty leaves, various sizes ranging from 122 x 195mm to 331 x 423mm (occasional marginal tears). [With:] a 16mo (130 x 82mm) notebook with 9 pages filled in. Blue paper wraps (torn along spine). "the Enterprize on N[ew] York will be the most glorious if crowned with success and also the most hazardous if undertaken without the necessary means to go through with it." An important archive of manuscripts concerning the military career of Inspector-General "Baron" von Steuben featuring a lengthy manuscript dictated to his aide-de-camp Benjamin Walker concerning Steuben's strategic recommendations for the Campaign of 1780; as well as instructions for a review and maneuvers staged for the benefit of the incoming French Ambassador staged in Morristown on 24 April 1780. Other documents include several signed by Steuben including a small notebook containing notes in Steuben's hand in French and German; various invoices including a 2 December 1783 invoice from Samuel Fraunces for an "Entertainment," held two days before Washington's famous farewell to his officers; a bill for printing Steuben's 1784 pamphlet A Letter on the Subject of an Established Militia, and Military Arrangements: Addressed to the Inhabitants of the United States; a 1781 return for supplies during the summer 1781 campaign in Virginia; as well an account with the financier William Duer. [Includes:] STEUBEN, Friedrich Wilhelm von (1730-1794). Autograph notes in German and French in a 16mo notebook, n.p., but c. 1778. Includes accounting of monies; notes on several soldiers including members of the 4th Pennsylvania and the 7th Maryland; as well as the structure of a typical regimental command (in pencil). – Document signed ("Steuben") New York, 16 December 1792. An order to pay Joseph Corre a balance of £23.15 (vertical tear) – The concluding portion of a letter signed ("Steuben") to an unnamed recipient, [n.p., n.d.]. Steuben advises his correspondent to "write to me every fortnight concerning the Business of the Farm and Likewise of the Patent in General and your Letters put into the hands of Mr. Peter Smith at Old Fort Schuyler." – STEUBEN, Friedrich Wilhelm von (1730-1794) dictated to WALKER, Benjamin (1753-1818). Autograph manuscript, [Fish Kill, c.9 July 1780]. 8 pages. Recommending a plan for Franco-American Operations, 1780. A partial draft of Steuben’s lengthy 9 July 1780 memorandum to George Washington outlining his recommendations for combined Franco-American operations for the 1780 campaign. against New York City. Steuben offers three scenarios, each beginning with a “Supposition,” followed by a “Plan of Operation.” The first “Supposition” assumed that British assets in and around New York remained as they were at present with only four ships of the line to defend the harbor. Assuming, “the French fleet passes the Narrows," and an attack on Staten Island successful, “a sufficient Force on Barren Neck,” could be deployed to “prevent their retreating to N York — if this is possible the Object would be well worth the Trouble and even some risque…" Assuming the French fleet could pass the narrows they would proceed directly up the Hudson, while "our Army should assemble near Kings bridge and there remain till the necessary preparations are made to operate on Long Island…" The army at Kings Bridge would keep the British distracted as a combined force of French and American troops crossed from Connecticut to Long Island to mount "attack the Heights of Brooklin." Assuming victory there, "either by regular approaches or a coup de main, our Vessels will have a free entry into the East River, and would I should imagine be able to burn all the enemy's shipping in the Harbor, bombard & cannonade the City…" Once command of Staten Island and Brooklyn Heights had been secured, "the situation of the Enem