A letter from Charles Carroll expressing pleasure that the Maryland Society of the Cincinnati considers him an honorary member. Carroll expresses his gratitude for the the honor but declined its invitation to dinner citing a prior appointment.

Charles Carroll of Carrollton was one of four signers of the Declaration of Independence for Maryland. He is distinguished not only for being the wealthiest of the signers, but also for being the only Roman Catholic amongst them and being the last to die. Carroll was influential in getting Maryland to support independence though he did not vote for it in Congress. His election to Congress came on July 4, 1776, two days after that body voted in favor of the resolution. Carroll served in the Maryland Senate and the U.S. Senate. Following the deaths of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in 1826, Carroll became the sole surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence.

[Recto]

Loughoragen 16.^th June 1829

Sir,

I was favored this day with your letter of
the 15^th acquainting that the Cincinati society of
Maryland do consider me an honorary member
of it; for this distinction a proof of their esteem for
my character, I am grateful, being engaged by
a public appoint^ment on the 4^th July I am constrained
to decline the invitation to dine with the
Society on that day

With great respect I am
Sir, y^r most humble Servant
Ch. Carroll of Carrollton

3.1. Yr. Hon Isaac Mc Kim of Baltimore