Philadelphia March 6th. 1781
Dear Sir,
We have nothing further of D’Estaigns success. It is probable the sudden departure of the French Ships from our Bay will disconcert the operations agt Arnold - abt 1500 Men, (21 Compys. from so many Regts of the main army) pass’d by this place last Thursday in their way to Virginia. The Marquis de la Fayette who has the Command of them is I hope by this time with you.
The French ships which were in our Bay arivd at New Port the 24th Ulo - they took ten prizes, two of them of considerable force, on their return the Romulus of 44 Guns peirc’d for 50 fell into their hands - they took in all 500 prisoners. The America a British 64 Gunship, which was Oblig’d by the Storm to put to Sea, from Gardiners bay is returnd to that port.
As I know how uncertain Your intelligence from Virga is, I send you the enclosd1
I am with great esteem Yr. Excellencys Mo Obt Ser,
Danl. Carroll
Receiver’s copy, Emmet Collection, New York Public Library.
1 Not found, but probably a copy of Thomas Jefferson’s February 26 letter to Congress, for which see Samuel Huntington to Washington, March 5, 1781, note 1.