Philada. June 12th. 1781
Sir,
Your Excellencys Letters of the 2d & 4th Inst. came to hand last night.1
If Arms are to be had in Philadelphia for Flour, or Tobacco, We shall endeaver to Contract for them on behalf of the State. We wish that you had mentioned the time and place of delivery of these Articles; essentials we apprehend necessary to be known before any person will engage to make a Contract with us.
Had we experienced the most partial supply of Money, it would have been of Service. Perhaps the intended Scheme of raising Money from Tobacco may prove as abortive to us as that of Flour. We have been reduced to the humiliating circumstance of attempting to borrow without success. If the Tobo. That Mr. Key is to transport, lies on Potomack, We cannot hope for any relief from it, as we shall be under the necessity of decamping before he can get it to this place.
Congress hitherto, has refused to allow the Shipping of Flour for the purpose of paying Debts contracted by our officers at New York. The Board of War have wrote to the General to inform them if Clinton will allow us to Ship Tobacco for that purpose.2 As soon as they receive an Answer we shall transmit to you the result.
We are with the highest esteem and respect, Sir, Your Excellencys most Obedient and most humble Servants,
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 For the Maryland Council’s second letter of June 2 concerning the purchase of arms from Philadelphia merchants for flour or tobacco, and its June 4 letter regarding the shipment of tobacco to be sold for the support of the state’s delegates in Philadelphia, see Md. Archives, 45:458, 461.
2 See Maryland Delegates to Lee, May 19, 1781, note.
3 Not identified.