[Extract]

. . . The visit paid us by the British Ships, and, as we hear, the number of small craft they have seized in our narrow waters, prove incontestibly the disadvantage we shall forever be exposed to while we are in want of Marine force. Had our Gallies been in good order and fit for business, the Barges and small Craft of the enemy would never have dared attempt the Capture of Vessels in our shallow narrow waters — And I will venture to affirm that if we had 8 or 10 such Gallies as Congress have built in the Delaware to carry 4 thirty two pounders each, with 10. 6 pounders & 100 men, Not less than a Squadron of Line of Battle Ships would venture up our Bay.