November 16, 1781
Sir:
I had the Honor to receive your Excellencys last Favor, a few Days before I left my Quarters below. I immediately caused the Enquiries you mentioned, to be made, but with very little Success. Of the Refugees named, none were to be found in the Returns made to me. The Commissy. of Prisoners could only collect, that a Mr French had been with the Enemy at Portsmouth, and had left that place to go to Charlestown, So Carolina. The Case of Mr Middleton,1 I mentioned to the Admiral de Grasse, who promised to do what was in his power for his Relief.
I beg your Excellency will do me the Favor to forward the inclosed Letter for Colo Tilghman by the first Opportunity that may present to Rock Hall.
I promise myself the pleasure to see2 your Excellency at Anapolis or Baltimore, which ever place you may be at, on my Way to Philadelphia, for which place I shall leave this in three or four Days
Be pleased Sir! to believe that I am, with very particular Sentiments of Esteem etc.3
[MD.H.S.]
1 Capt. William Middleton, of the Maryland State navy boat Dolphin. He had been captured by the British in Chesapeake Bay when, at the insistence of the French officer whom he was conveying with a message from Lafayette to De Grasse, he ran alongside of H. M. S. Royal Oak.
2 The draft, which is also by Trumbull, has of seeing.
3 In the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr.