The New York Journal, And Weekly Register

On Thursday, the 4th instant, the honorable Major Gen. Baron STEUBEN received the following letter, accompanied with a most elegant sword, as an acknowledgment of his eminent services rendered to the United States:

War-Office, Jan. 4, 1787.

SIR,

THE United States in Congress assembled, by their act of the 12th of April, 1784, expressed their high sense of your military talents, services, and character, and as an honorable evidence thereof, they directed that a Gold hilted SWORD should be presented to you. It is with great satisfaction I embrace the occasion of presenting you with the invaluable memorial of their sentiments and your eminent merits.

Were it possible to enhance the honor conferred by the sovereign authority, it would be derived from the consideration, that their applause was reciprocated by the late illustrious Commander in Chief, and the whole army.

I have the honor to be, sir,

With the most perfect consideration,

Your most obedient and humble servant,

H. KNOX.

The honorable Major General BARON DE STEUBEN, late Inspector General of the armies of the United States.

To which the BARON returned the following polite Answer.

SIR,

I HAVE been honored with your letter, and Captain Stagg has delivered me the SWORD, which the United States were pleased to order by their act of the 15th of April, 1784.

Permit me, sir, to request that you would express to Congress the high sentiments of respect and acknowledgment with which I receive this distinguished mark of their regard.

To a soldier, such sentiments are ever dear, and that this is accompanied with the approbation of our late commander in chief, of yourself and the army in general, will always be my greatest glory.

Accept Sir, my sincere thanks for the very flattering manner in which you have communicated this present, and believe me,

Sir, &c. &c.

DE STEUBEN.

Description of the SWORD:

IT was made in London, under the direction of Colonel Smith, and executed by the first workmen in that kingdom. -The small medallions on each side of the top of the hilt, presents an eagle perched on a bunch of arrows, with a wreath of laurel in her bill and wings extended ready to rise. The modest genius of America fills the front medallion on the hilt, dressed in a flowing robe, ornamented with the new constellation, holding an olive branch in her right arm, and a dagger in her left hand, and the fair field of liberty flourishing in the back ground: it is answered on the opposite side with the full figure of Minerva, in martial dress, robed and ornamented with the same stars; the bird of wisdom is seated near; her left hand being extended, presents the olive branch, while the right is properly supported by the spear; this figure is martial and gay; the other is mild and modestly embraces the olive branch, but holds the dagger with firmness.

The bow of the hilt presents drums, colours, halberts. &c. &c. &c. The word and blue book * fills the two lower ones,--two eagles seated on knots of colours surrounded with stars and holding a sprig of an olive branch in the bill with extended wings, are emblems of peace and protection, under the word and blue book (which our country cannot too strictly attend to.) The two opposite medallions are filled with trophies of war, and the following inscription modestly placed out of view, under the shield--"The United States to Major-General BARON STEUBEN, 15th April, 1784, for military merit."

* The Baron's excellent regulations for our army, commonly called the blue book.