Daniel Carroll to Thomas Sim Lee

Mr. Buchanan has taken charge of 3 Lbs of Hyson tea and three pr. of Callimanco Shoes for Mrs Lee. The Shoemaker has another pr. on hand - he wishes Mrs Lee woud leave an old Shoe with him, instead of sending the measure, which is not so certain. I am sorry your great coat is so long delay’d; Cottringer informs me he has continued his enquirys for the green Baze, but can find none; tho’, he believes it is in the Stores, not yet opend.

The Minister has receiv’d a few lines from the Count de Grass dated the 13th. It is short - in Substance that upon the British fleets appearing he put to sea when an engagement ensud in which the van of the British Fleet was very roughly handled. The fleets continued near each other for several days when the British went of, & the importance of the grand object in view - brought the Count back to his Station; & that Monsr. Barras had arrivd in the mean time - the Iris & Richmond having endeavourd to cut the cables of the Bouys left in the Bay fell in with Count De Grass - Rivington says more for the French, than the Count himself has done. See the enclosd paper. Besides the damage done the fleet in the action, we have information that can be depended on that the Robust & Prudent which lay at N York, are in so bad a condition that they are both condemnd, & that they must take out one of their batteries [be]fore they sail for Europe. I believe one or both those Vessels were in the action in the Spring with Monsr. Ds Artouches,¹ which probably put them into their present bad Condition.

On the Return of the fleet to N York Clinton relanded his troops, they are chiefly on Staten Island. The heavy cannon were taken off the grand battery in the night, in order it is suppos’d to strengthen their batteries on the Narrows.

I Beg you to let me Know how many men there are in the 3d & 4th Regt for the war or 3 years & the Term the others are to Serve.

My respectful Comps to yr Lady, yrs Dr Sr. with great regard & esteem,

Danl. Carroll