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Story
August 3, 1822
Winchester Gazette
Winchester, Virginia
What is this article about?
Baron Steuben shares an anecdote from Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War, where his French cook despaired over the lack of kitchen utensils and quit, comparing the situation to America's empty treasury and explaining Robert Morris's resignation as Financier.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
BARON STEUBEN.
From Garden's Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War in America.
'The hospitality of Baron Steuben was unbounded. Introduced at his villa by a friend, to whose exertions in congress he considered himself peculiarly indebted for a pension settled on him for life, he treated me with marked attention. Dining with him shortly after the resignation of Mr. Robert Morris as Financier of the United States, the cause of which appeared inexplicable to the company present, "to me," said Baron Steuben, "there appears no mystery. I will illustrate my sentiments by a simple narrative. When I was about to quit Paris to embark for the United States, the better to ensure comfort when in Camp, I judged it of importance to engage in my service a cook of celebrity. The American army was posted at Valley Forge, when I joined it. Arrived at my quarters, a waggoner presented himself, saying that he was ordered to attach himself to my train and obey my orders. Commissaries arriving, they furnished a supply of beef and bread, and retired. My cook looked around him for utensils indispensable, in his opinion, to preparing a meal, and finding none, in an agony of despair, applied to the waggoner for advice—"We cook our meat," replied he, "by hanging it up by a string and turning it before a good fire till sufficiently roasted." The next day, and still another, passed without material change. The commissary made his deposit—My cook showed the strongest indications of uneasiness by shrugging and heavy sighing; but, with the exception of a few oaths, spoke not a word of complaint. His patience, however was completely exhausted; he requested an audience, and demanded his dismission. Under happier circumstances, my general, said he, it would be my ambition to serve you. but here I have no chance of showing my talents, and I think myself obliged, in honor, to save you expense 'since your waggoner is just as able to turn the string as I am.' Believe me, gentlemen, said the Baron, the treasury of America is at present just as empty as my kitchen was at Valley Forge, and Mr. Morris wisely retires, thinking it of very little consequence who turns the string.'
From Garden's Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War in America.
'The hospitality of Baron Steuben was unbounded. Introduced at his villa by a friend, to whose exertions in congress he considered himself peculiarly indebted for a pension settled on him for life, he treated me with marked attention. Dining with him shortly after the resignation of Mr. Robert Morris as Financier of the United States, the cause of which appeared inexplicable to the company present, "to me," said Baron Steuben, "there appears no mystery. I will illustrate my sentiments by a simple narrative. When I was about to quit Paris to embark for the United States, the better to ensure comfort when in Camp, I judged it of importance to engage in my service a cook of celebrity. The American army was posted at Valley Forge, when I joined it. Arrived at my quarters, a waggoner presented himself, saying that he was ordered to attach himself to my train and obey my orders. Commissaries arriving, they furnished a supply of beef and bread, and retired. My cook looked around him for utensils indispensable, in his opinion, to preparing a meal, and finding none, in an agony of despair, applied to the waggoner for advice—"We cook our meat," replied he, "by hanging it up by a string and turning it before a good fire till sufficiently roasted." The next day, and still another, passed without material change. The commissary made his deposit—My cook showed the strongest indications of uneasiness by shrugging and heavy sighing; but, with the exception of a few oaths, spoke not a word of complaint. His patience, however was completely exhausted; he requested an audience, and demanded his dismission. Under happier circumstances, my general, said he, it would be my ambition to serve you. but here I have no chance of showing my talents, and I think myself obliged, in honor, to save you expense 'since your waggoner is just as able to turn the string as I am.' Believe me, gentlemen, said the Baron, the treasury of America is at present just as empty as my kitchen was at Valley Forge, and Mr. Morris wisely retires, thinking it of very little consequence who turns the string.'
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Baron Steuben
Valley Forge
Revolutionary War
Robert Morris
Financial Hardship
Cook Anecdote
What entities or persons were involved?
Baron Steuben
Mr. Robert Morris
Where did it happen?
Valley Forge
Story Details
Key Persons
Baron Steuben
Mr. Robert Morris
Location
Valley Forge
Event Date
During The Revolutionary War
Story Details
Baron Steuben recounts hiring a celebrity cook in Paris before joining the American army at Valley Forge, where the cook despaired at the primitive cooking conditions and quit, using the anecdote to illustrate the empty state of America's treasury and justify Robert Morris's resignation as Financier.