Oct. 22d. 1781
Sir,
Parker delivered your Excelys. Letter to the President of Congress about one o’Clock this morning informing of the Capture of Lord Cornwallis.1 His Excellency informed me that Your attention required a politer acknowledgemt than he had at present time to make & therefore was obliged to delay his Letter of acknowledgement till to morrow.2
I most sincerely congratulate your Excellency on this most important Event much heighten’d by little or no loss to the American Army. With my respectful Compliments to the Council,
I am, Sir Yr. Excellencys most Obed Sevt,Daniel of St Thos Jenifer3
Receiver’s copy, Lee, Horsey, and Carroll Papers deposit (1985), Maryland Historical Society.
1 Lee’s October 20 letter, which was endorsed by Pres. Thomas McKean "Received at 2 o’Clock A.M. Octr. 22d. 1781," was read in Congress this day. Lee enclosed a translated copy of an October 18 letter from the comte de Grasse who had informed the governor that in the wake of Cornwallis’ capitulation he would reembark his marines and "quit the bay Chesapeak" with the intention of "stopping if I can Sir Henry Clinton." See JCC, 21:1068; PCC, item 70, fols. 495 - 99.
2 President McKean apparently never sent the promised "acknowledgement."
3 Although Jenifer’s credentials would not expire until a new slate of Maryland delegates was elected on November 28, this is his last letter as a congressional delegate and he is not listed in attendance in Congress after November 5. Nevertheless, he called on Superintendent Robert Morris on the 8th for "an Estimate of the Expence of the Civil List which he wanted to transmit to his State" and was invited by Morris on the 12th to dine with him on the 15th. He did not vote with his fellow delegates on November 14. See JCC, 21:1100, 1103, 1114, 1152; and Morris, Papers (Ferguson), 3:163, 173, 187.