Dear General Philadelphia June 5th. 1781.
You will perceive by the papers, that the Belligerent powers under the Mediation of the Empress of Russia and Emperor of Germany are about holding a Congress, and I fear that our Interests will not be so immediately attended to as we might wish: however, I think France must procure us tolerable terms, or She cannot expect to keep us long in her interest, therefore I trust more to her policy than her Justice. She is powerful in the West Indias, & from present appearances could do everything with apparent success, but that of taking Castles, & this She is attempting-strange infatuation.
I wish with all my heart that the Marquis may be able to check Cornwallis. If he should March through St[r]atford & Prince William to Alexandria, I think the Marquis will have charming defensive Ground to make Stands upon.
The Board of War has promised to have ready in 7 days 1500 Stand of arms for our State, Greyson is indefatigable. I expect that the Pennsylva. Assembly now sitting will empower their executive, to send forward immediately four Battallions of Militia to the assistance of Maryland or Virginia as the situation of the Enemy may require.
I wish our State had delayed the Selling of British property a little longer, it would perhaps have been to her advantage to have done so; I do not care to enter in to particular reasoning at this time on the Subject, because it may be thought that I am influenced by former prejudices, and that wiser heads have determined otherwise; but rest assured that I- have greater reason to be of this opinion now than I ever had. I wish you health and happiness and am very truely, Your Affectionate friend, Daniel of St Thos. Jenifer

RC (PPAmP: Weedon Papers). Tr (MH-H: Sparks Transcripts). Tr captioned: "From Danl of St. Thomas Jenifer to General Smallwood, Maryland."