Philaa. June 4th. 1781
Sir,
The Express set out on his return to Annapolis before we had time to answer your Excellencys Letter of 30th Ulto.1 The Board of War had offered us for some days 1000 stand of Arms if we could furnish £1000. Specie to pay for Bayonets & repairs; the apparent distress that our state was likely to be under for want of them, obliged us to offer our personal Security for the repayment of this Money in two Months in Specie, or Flour to the amount; and the board of War in consequence thereof immediately gave the necessary Orders. But upon Your Letters & one from the President of the Senate & Speaker of the House of Delegates being laid before congress, they were referred to the Board of War to take order thereon, & means furnished them for not only the necessary expences of repairs, but also for Transportation, by which we are released from our engagement for the Specie or flour. The board of War has assured us that in 7 days time 1500 Stand of Arms shall be ready for our State & 2500 for the State of Virga. & other accoutrements. I am sure that every thing that can, will be done, and altho the funds of Congress have been totally exhausted, yet We have the pleasure to assure you that they have now a small stream that will set our Wheels in motion.
President Reed has informed us that the assembly of Pennsylvania must pass an Act before he can set the Militia of the State in motion in consequence of the Resolution of Congress, and expects this will be done in a day or two.
Your Excellency has not intimatated to us, the time when we may expect a supply of Money to defray our necessary expences; we do assure you, that unless it soon comes to hand we shall be in the most distressed situation, for altho we could have procured, or at least engaged £1000 for the purpose of Arming our Troops yet We should be ashamed to apply to the same quarter for our dayly Subsistence.2
We are with the highest regard and respect, Sir, Your Excellencys most obedient and most humble Servants,
Daniel of St Thos Jenifer.
Danl. Carroll
Receiverâs copy, Maryland State Papers (Red Books), Maryland Hall of Records Commission, Annapolis. Written by Jenifer and signed by Jenifer and Carroll.
1 See Maryland Delegates to William Bruff and George Plater, June 3, 1781, note 1.
2 See Maryland Delegates to Lee, May 30, 1781, note 2.
3 See Maryland Delegates to Bruff and Plater, June 3, 1781, note 4.