Philadelphia Apl. 17. 1781.
Dear Sr.
I return you many thanks for yr favor of the 13th Instant & feel for the distresses of those whose Situation puts them so much in the power of a savage Enemy. God grant something soon to relieve them. I expect the Enemy will make a Stroke at most of the warehouses soon; Surely every thing liable to be destroyd or taken will be removd from the Shores. A temporary inconvenience cannot be put in competition with the evills which must otherwise result. My Compts. To Col. Brice. I receivd his letter for Mr Peale last night, & my Servt shall carry it immediately to him.
Mr A Buchanan is just from N York. He says there is the appearance of a very considerable embarkation there. They give out that Genl Clinton is to sail with 4000 Men for Chesapeake. Genl Washington in a Letter to Congress of the 12th1 says he had not receivd any information on the Subject more than what he had from Congress - & is inclind to think Clinton wod not embark a force so considerable as to induce him to take the Command without risking the loss of N York.
The president has a letter from Genl Green the 30th Ulo. from Ramsays Mill abt halfway between Guilford & Cross Creeks.2 He had left his Baggage & made a precipitate march to strike Cornwallis, who retreated in so great a hurry that he left his dead of their wounds & fatigue unburried; he is retreating to Cross Creek & Wilmington. The war is therefore over in those parts for some little time. If the Supplies sent by the Board of war abt 20 days past reach our Men they will receive some Comfort. I will next post send a list of what were forwarded. I do not Know whether there is more danger of their falling into the Enemies hands, or of our friends who have applied Some that were sent before to the use of the Militia.
My Compts. to Mr. Harwood, I request the favor of him to send me by the next post the Amount of the Cont money receivd under our law, & the 4/10ths in treasury belonging to Congress. It is of importance I shoud be informd on this Subject.
I am much obligd to you for your attention abt a Supply of money for me. I am realy at present in a very disagreable Situation. I cannot touch a farthing from the Conl Treasury here. If I am not supplied very shortly I shall be under the disagreable necessity of returning, & even for that must try my own Credit.
I observe what you say abt the Wine. A quarter cask went of[f] a few days past in a waggon of Col Harrisons to be left at Mr Archy Buchanans - it was put in a Case.
Present my Compts to all friends, & am, Dear Sr., Yrs. Sincerely & Affectionately
Danl Carroll
Receiver’s copy, Lee, Horsey, and Carroll Papers deposit (1985), Maryland Historical Society.
1 For Washington’s letter of April 12, which was read in Congress on the 16th, see JCC, 19:396; and Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 21:448 - 49.
2 Nathanael Greene’s March 30 letter, which was read in Congress this day (JCC, 19:398; PCC, item 155, 2:17 - 21), also stimulated the following brief letter of this date from William C. Houston to William Livingston.
"This Morning brought us a Letter from General Greene. It is dated 30 ult from Col. Ramsey’s on Deep-River about 45 Miles N.W. of Cross-Creek. Lord Cornwallis was still retiring towards that Place in no small Distress and Genl Greene following in Distress full as great. It appears from Circumstances that his Lordship feels very deeply the Consequences of the Action of the 15 ult near Guildford Court-house. Had Genl Greene an efficient Force, Supplies and Money, he would ruin him effectually, but he cannot act with Vigour for Want of these Essentials. I do not imagine any Action will happen in that Quarter for some Time. Lord Cornwallis can establish himself at Cross-Creek, and if he should ever fail in this he can at Wilmington about 80 Miles further S.E. I am afraid the next News will be that Genl Greene is either retreating before the Enemy or retiring for Want of Supplies." William Livingston Papers, NN.