Philadelphia, August 15. 1781
Sir,
On the 6th instant in the morning I received your Excellency’s letter of the 4th, respecting the movements of Ld. Cornwallis’s Army in Virginia, and laid the same, with the inclosures, before Congress. Copies were immediately made out, and transmitted to the Board of war and the Presidents of the States of Pennsylvania and Delaware.1
You will receive inclosed herewith an Act of Congress of the 14th instant, and in consequence thereof eight blank passports for the purpose of importing salt from Bermuda.2 The reluctance with which Congress granted these Passports will appear from the Act itself: necessity alone could justify it; and therefore their extreme caution is expressed in the manner it is, and to prevent as much as possible any jealousies among the Merchants or States on this account.
I have the honor to be, Sir, with the greatest regard, Your Excellency’s most obedient humble servant,
Tho M:Kean President
Receiver’s copy, Maryland State Papers (Red Books), Maryland Hall of Records Commission, Annapolis. In a clerical hand and signed by McKean.
1 See McKean to Joseph Reed and Caesar Rodney, August 7, 1781.
2 See Virginia Delegates to Thomas Nelson, August 14, note 2; Maryland Delegates to Lee, August 18, 1781; and the following entry.