Philadelphia [January 5, 1776]
Gentlemen
The Congress attentive to the safety and security of every part of the united Colonies, and observing the peculiar distresses that the Colony of Virginia is liable to from a Marine enemy, have with all possible expedition fitted out a small fleet of Armed Vessels, which they have ordered in the first place to the Bay of Chesapeak, if the winds and weather permit, there to seize and destroy as many of the Enemies ships and Vessels as they can. As the best information of the Enemies strength and situation is of the utmost importance to the execution of this service, the Naval Committee request of your Gentlemen to station at Cape Henry a Person of unquestioned honor, understanding, and secrecy, for the purpose of boarding the Fleet when it appears off the Capes of Virginia, and furnish the Commander in Chief with the most accurate information of the then Strength and situation of Lord Dunmores fleet and Land forces. This Fleet will consist of Two Ships, two Brigantines, and one Sloop, with perhaps some smaller Vessel or Vessels ー And for still greater certainty, as soon as the Fleet comes within proper distance and until they pass Cape Henry the largest Ship will carry at her Mizen Peak a Jack with the Union flag, and striped red and white in the field ー The Person upon the Cape on his part is to fire a Musket, and hoist a white Flag on the most conspicious part of the Cape ー A Boat will then be sent on shore to get the intelligence ー It is judged of the utmost consequence to the Success of this enterprise that you contrive to place 200 expert Rifle Men on such part of the Shore as that they may be taken on board the fleet before they come in sight of the Enemy, and of this, the Gentleman first at Cape Henry must be able to inform the Commander. You will discern Gentlemen, that the greatest dispatch will be necessary as the Fleet will sail from this Port in [blank]
In contriving the Rifle Men as before mentioned, your judgement will point out the propriety of doing it in such a manner as not to awaken the apprehensions of the Enemy, the success of the Stroke being more sure as it [may] be most sudden and unexpected.