From Jonathan Trumbull, Jr. to Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 18 July 1783

His Excellency, in the Moment of his Departure, directs me to inform you, that being ignorant of the Encouragement Majr L’Enfant has a right to claim from you, it is difficult for him to determine the question you put—But was he to decide, he should have no other Mode of doing it than by Seniority. Most respectfully I am Dr Baron Your most Obedt Servt