XXIII 
TO GEN. WASHINGTON 
Passy NEAR Paris, 4 September, 1777. 
Sir: —The gentleman who will have the honor of 
waiting upon you with this letter is the Baron de 
Steuben, lately a lieutenant-general in the king of 
Prussia’s service, whom he attended in all his cam- 
paigns, being his aide-de-camp, quartermaster-gen- 
eral, etc. He goes to America with a true zeal for 
our cause, and a view of engaging in it and render- 
ing it all the service in his power. He is recom- 
mended to us by two of the best judges of military 
merit in this country, M. de Vergennes and M. de St. 
Germain, who have long been personally acquainted 
with him, and interest themselves in promoting his 
voyage, from a full persuasion that the knowledge 
and experience he has acquired by twenty years’ 
study and practice in the Prussian school may be of 
great use in our armies. I therefore cannot but wish 
that our service may be made agreeable to him. 
I have the honor to be, etc. 
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