Wilmington — the 15th of July. 1777.
[Extract]
As I have rec'd information that there is a criminal intercourse kept up by some base, sorded, disaffected persons who reside within the district of your brigade with the Crews of the enemy's vessels of war, whom they supply with intelligence & provisions — as likewise that there is great reason to apprehend parties of men may attempt to land from the said vessels with intention to commit depredations. upon the inhabitants who may be well affected tothis state residing within the said district. You are therefore hereby, required to fix guards of the Militia under your command at such places & in such numbers as you may think needful to prevent such intercourse & depredations. . .
1. George H. Ryden, ed., Letters To and From Caesar Rodney 1756-1784 (Philadelphia, 1933), 197. Hereafter cited as Ryden, ed., Letters To and From Caesar Rodney.
