Philadelphia June 5th. 1780.
Dear Sir.
This day the President of Congress received a Letter from Governor Nash, enclosing a Copy of one that he had received from Governor Rutledge; Copys of both I have transmitted to you.1 From Mr. Rutledge’s information, and from a handbill published by Rivington, I fear Charles Town has fallen, & the Troops made Prisoners of War. This will be a severe blow to us if true & there is but a bare possability to lope It Is not so.
I need not have Posted to Phila. in the haste I did, As the business relating to Vermont was the occasion of the Summons. The New York Delegates are impatient to subdue the people setled on the New
Hampshire Grants, & who claim a Jurisdiction of their own;2 but I hope and trust, that Congress have more wisdom than to take final Order in this business, before our independence is established; We have business enough on our hands without carving out more at this time.
I expect to hear from your Excellency by the next Post. The information that I may then receive, will determine me as to the time of my setting out from this place. The State is still unrepresented so that Maryland is without a Vote in Congress.3
Congress has not been as yet informed of Mr Jays reception,4 tho’ there is no reason to doubt but he will be received as Minister of the United States at the Court of Madrid. Mr. Carmichael was at that place settling the form of Mr Jays reception.
I expect that the French Troops will be off our Cape in all this Month; but how come Green to Publish in the Maryland Gazette the particulars of the information that was transmitted to you & the Council. 5 This publication has been thought to be imprudent as the Enemy may have received information from it. With the greatest esteem & respect,
I am, Dear Sir, your most Obedient Servt.
Daniel of S Thos Jenifer
Receiver’s copy, Emmet Collection, New York Public Library.
1 See the preceding entry, note 2.
2 See the following entry.
3 Since the assembly required that two or more delegates represent the state, Maryland had been "without a Vote in congress" since the death of James Forbes on March 25, even though George Plater remained in Philadelphia and was generally in attendance through May 19. Jenifer presented his credentials from a special election on June 2, but remained in Philadelphia little more than a week. The state was without a vote for over three months, therefore, until the arrival of John Hanson and John Henry on June 14 and 23 respectively. See JCC, 17:440 - 41, 481, 484, 509, 551; and Joseph Jones to James Hunter, June 10, 1780, note.
4 For receipt of the first communications from John Jay, see Samuel Huntington to Jay, July 12, 1780.
5 The ?information" published in the May 26 issue of the Maryland Gazette was Congress’ May 19 circular letter concerning the French naval and land forces destined for America.
6 See William C. Houston’s third letter to William Livingston, this date.