Philadelphia May 30th. 1781.
Sir,
Congress was this day informed by a Letter from the Marquis de la Fayette,1 dated at Richmond the 24th, that Lord Cornwallis and his Army consisting of Tarltons Legion, Hamiltons Corps, 23, 33, & 71 Regiments, a Hessian Regiment, light infantry, and guards, and 200 Tories with 6 field peices had joined General Arnold at Petersburgh the 20th. Inst. That he the Marquis had but 900 Continentals besides Militia to oppose to this force which would oblige him to act on the defensive. He further informs, that a British Fleet of Transports convoyed by three Frigates had arrived at Hampton; that on the 22d, 12 Sail of ships a Sloop, and a Schooner, got under way opposite James Town, the Ships full of Men and Horses, the 24th a body landed from the Ships at Westover, and the same day Lord Cornwallis moved from Petersburgh toward Richmond: to this disagreeable intelligence, Congress has received advice from the Westward that an expedition from the Lakes against Pittsburg is meditated.
We expected by last Post that your Excellency would have informed us what prospect you and the Council had of making remittances for our Subsistance.2 We are without Money, and almost without Credit; and without a timely supply it will be impossible for us to continue in Philadelphia.
We have the honor to be with Sentiments of the highest respect and esteem, Sir, Your Excells. most obedient hble Servts.
Daniel of St. Thos. Jenifer.
Danl Carroll
Receiver’s copy, Maryland State Papers (Red Books), Maryland Hall of Records Commission, Annapolis. Written by Jenifer and signed by Jenifer and Carroll.
1 Lafayette’s brief covering letter and its enclosure - a copy of his "official" letter of May 24 to Washington - were read in Congress this day. See JCC, 20:580; and PCC, item 156, fols. 141 - 47. He also wrote two personal letters to the commander-in-chief on the 24th; all three are in the Washington Papers, DLC.
2 This day the Maryland Council had informed the delegates that it would "forward as soon as possible a Quantity of Flour to be vended in Philadelphia," with the proceeds to be reserved for their use. On June 4, however, the Council further explained that the assembly had applied the flour to the purchase of troop clothing, but reassured the delegates, in response to this letter, that one hundred hogsheads of tobacco would be shipped immediately to Philadelphia ". . . there to be disposed of . . . for a sufficient Sum of Money for your Purposes." See Md. Archives, 45:450, 461.