FRIEDRICH WILHELM VON STEUBEN (1730 - 1794) American Revolutionary general who reported to Washington at Valley Forge to undertake the training of troops, later led Continental Army forces at Monmouth and Yorktown. Fine content war date A.L.S. 2pp. with integral address leaf, Albany, July 23, 1783 to Governor George Clinton of New York informing him of his long time "...desire of residing , or at least of having a place I might call my home in this State, the honor which the respectable City of Albany has lately been pleased to confer on me has increased my wishes to remain, while in America, with people to whom I am so much indebted. " Steuben then requests the governor's influence in obtaining a confiscated loyalist estate on Long Island: "I have been informed that a certain Mr. Axtell was possessed of a small estate on Long Island, that it is forfited [sic] & perhaps will be speedily sold. I have to ask Your Excellency's influence with the Honorable the legislature of the State that I may have the preemption [?] -- or if it is to be disposed of in any other manner that I may have the refusal of it ". Integral address leaf filled out in his hand. At the time of writing, Von Steuben was in Albany preparing to deal with British General Haldimand to formerly receive British forts on the frontier. However Haldimand refused to treat with Von Steuben citing a lack of instructions from London, and the forts did not trade hands until decades later. Following the war, Von Steuben remained in New York State residing in New York City for some time and going heavily into debt through his charitable extravagance -- a leader of the New York branch of the Society of the Cincinnati he was the center of the New York social scene and had to spend accordingly. Apparently he did not get his long-sought after Long Island estate, but did eventually receive as a reward from the State of New York: a large tract of 16,000 acres in the Mohawk valley which, combined with a pension from the state, allowed him a comfortable retirement. Usual folds, small loss to address leaf from seal tear, otherwise very good to fine condition $2,500-3,500