Nothing from You by this post, nor have I any thing to Communicate excepting the arrival of three Vessells from Cadiz which they left about the last of July. Private letters by these Vessells say that the Combind fleets of France & Spain amounting to 53 of the line and
I Beg leave to refer you to the inclosd letter.(2) I have seen one of the Suits-viz Blue fac'd with red, white Cloth waistcoats & Breeches & overalls-the quallity, I think proper; If you desire it one of the Suits shall be sent. I Believe Messrs. Mead & Co. wou'd treat for flour provided the offer about the Iron is not agreable-please to enable me to give him an answer.
I am, Dear Sr., with great Esteem, Yr. Most Obt Sev.
Danl. Carroll
[P.S.... ] shall be sent by the first favble. opportunity. Mr Cottinger the Taylor will execute your other Compts as soon as possible.(3)
1 The deployment of the Franco-Spanish fleet that sailed from Cadiz on July 21, 1781, was part of a complex maneuver that culminated the following February in the capitulation of Minorca. See Jonathan R. Dull, The French Navy and American Independence (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1975), pp. 232-36, 267.
2 Not identified.
3 This day Carroll also sent the following brief note to Lee: "I am this moment favord with yours of the 7th & shall pay due attention to the Contents. If the business can be managd in the manner you are So Kind as to mention, let my Son Know it, & I will give an order accordingly. It is Consequence to me to reserve as much as possible here." Lee, Horsey, and Carroll Papers deposit, MdHi.