Daniel Carroll to Thomas Sim Lee

The post brought me yr favor of the 20th Instant. Before I say any thing about news I must mention that you have been misinformd relative to my appointment by Congress. It has I suppose taken its rise from a letter I receivd on my way up from Mr Morris desiring me to act as receiver of the Continental taxes,¹ which I immediately informd him upon my arrival here I coud not do consistent with our Constitution, at least so it might have been Construed. There were other reasons which wou'd have been Sufft. to have induced me to decline the offer. Rhode Island is very obstinate Agt the 5 per Ct. Whether they will give way at their next session (in October) is very uncertain.

The paper will give you some particulars of the loss of the Eagle a French Frigate in this bay: She was Commanded by Captn Le Touche who had a Commission from his King for the protection of our Trade. This Vessell carried 28 24-pounders besides 12 of a lesser weight - quite new, had on board a crew & everything compleat for the Guadaloupe now at Baltimore which was to compose part of la Touch's squadron. Mr Marbois tells me that two hundred thousand livers were lost. The Enemy have got the Eagle off & I suppose into New York by this time. Several persons of distinction came over in her, they got on shore among them one or two stiled princes. Our dispatches were not later than the 29th of June. Mr Granville was then at Paris. The death of Lord Rockingham and the alteration in the Ministry in the beginning of July will probably retard the negotiations, if not brake them up. I think we may not expect peace very speedily.

Is it possible to obtain abt £150 of my order from the Treasury? I am in very great want of it: please to let me know if any thing can be done.

Please to present my Compt. to yr Lady.

I am my Dear Sir with great regard & esteem, your affectionate humble servt,

Danl. Carroll