Newark [Del.] June the 9th 1778
Sir
We have no News of Consequence to be depended upon, Except that the Fleet in Delaware Consisting of upward a hundred & fifty Sail. Continues in the Same place they were four or five days Ago—And that the Commissioners arrived the day before Y on Saturday last, in the Trident of 64 Guns. off New-Castle. and Immediately proceeded to Philadelphia in one of the Eagle's Tenders.1 The Commissioners are—The Earl Carlisle, Lord Amherst, Lord V Howe, Mr. Jackson & Mr. Wm. Eden. brother to the late Governor of Maryland—2 I Suppose we Shall soon hear more of them—I am Yours &ca.
Caesar Rodney
P.S. a Sloop has Run into Cristina3 with Salt. Tea and limes, which will be Libelled—
C.R.
L, NNPM, Signers of the Declaration of Independence Collection. Addressed below close: “Honl Thomas Rodney." The postscript is written vertically along the left margin.
1. According to the master's journal of H.M.S. Trident, flagship of Commo. John Elliot, the members of the Commission for Quieting Disorders in America—commonly referred to as the Carlisle Peace Commission—left Trident at 10 A.M. on Saturday, 6 June. Adm. 52/2050. The members of the Carlisle Peace Commission were: Frederick Howard, Earl of Carlisle; William Eden, Under Secretary of State for the Northern Department; Capt. George Johnstone, former governor of West Florida; Viscount Howe; and Gen. Sir Henry Clinton.
2. Royal Gov. Sir Robert Eden.
3. That is, Christiana Creek, which is present-day Christina River, Delaware.
