Pha. 3d Sepr 1782
Dear Sir,
I flatterd myself that on reaching this City
1
I shou'd have had it in my power to have given you some information relative to peace. We are yet without any but via New York. Neither Congress, or the French Minister have a tittle, which appears extraordinary, & not to be accounted for any other ways than by supposing the dispatches to have fallen into the hands of the Enemy. Many here believe the British Ministry to be in earnest, for my part I doubt it. You will see by Leslys order that it is probable Charles Town is evacuated before this time.
We have wrote a few lines in a public Letter by this post,
2 When I was in Annapolis Col. Hindman show'd me the returns made of the Inhabitants amounting If I remember right to abt 162 thousand, one return only wanting. Our State has been rated at 250 thousand, all under that number will probably be in our favor on the adjustments of the ensuing quotas. I am on a Committee on that Subject3 & wish to be informd as speedily as possible. I hope you & Mrs Lee will lay your Commands on me whilst I am here. I am Dr Sr. with sincere regard, Yr Afft hble Ser,
Danl Carroll
Present my Comps to the Gent of the Council. NOTES:
Receiver's copy, Lee, Horsey, and Carroll Papers deposit (1988), Maryland Historical Society.
1 Carroll had taken his seat in Congress on August 28. JCC, 23:533.
2 Not found.
3 That is, the grand committee on public credit appointed on July 22. Although Pres. John Hanson had been added to the committee as the only Maryland delegate then in attendance, Carroll replaced him upon his arrival. See JCC, 22:408n.1, 23:564.