Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 17, March 1 1781-August 31 1781
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Virginia Delegates to To: Thomas Jefferson


Sr.
Philadelphia March 20th 1781

   Since our last nothing new has happend except the Sailing of the French fleet Consisting of (as near as we can obtain intelligence) the Ships and Guns as per list inclosed (1) together with about twelve Hundred of their Chosen troops which we f[l]atter our selves are by this time actively and Successfully employd in our Bay; And the


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departure of the M de la Fayette with about the Same Number of men (and a fine train of Artillery) who we hope is by this time acting in Conjunction with them, against Arnold. We must add to the above intelligence that a report is Current here and generally believed that the British have taken St. Eustatia and Curassau, with all the Dutch and American Vessels in their Harbors, together with a Dutch Line of Battle Ship. The Admiral who Commanded her said to be Slain and tis further added that they have Saild up the Texel and Taken a great number of the Du[t]ch trading Vessels-this news comes by a Prize brought in here yesterday from Antigua-who has also brought a declaration of Reprisals against Holland by England and whi[ch] we expect will be publishd in the paper of this day. We are Sr. Yr. Excellys Most Obedt. Serts.

   James Madison Junr.

   Theok Bland

   PS. Mr. Hays Set off a few days ago with his printing implements.(2) We sent by him 50 Copies of the last French memorial (3) to be distributed as your Excellency thinks best. He has also a number of Skins, of parchment for the Assembly.


Note: RC (PHi: Dreer Collection). Written by Bland and signed by Bland and Madison. Madison, Papers (Hutchinson), 3:29-30.

1 The "list inclosed" has not been found, but for a similar list of the "Ships and Guns" of the French fleet, see Daniel Carroll to Thomas Sim Lee, March 18, 1781.

2 See Joseph Jones to the Virginia Auditors, March 16, 1781.

3 Not identified. The "last French memorial" entered in the journals was La Luzerne's brief February 26 letter to Congress announcing the February 11 arrival of Captain Tilly's small squadron in the Chesapeake-a fact the Virginians would have known for some time and for news of which "50 Copies" would hardly have been necessary. See JCC, 19:199; PCC, item 95, 1:180-81.