Sir
A Design having been formed to open the Cape May Channel in Delaware Bay, now obstructed by the Enemy's Ships of War, & to secure a Communication between this Port & the high Seas, the Charge of this important Service after the Arrival of the Squadron destined for this purpose in the said Channel devolves upon you — For the better carrying this Design into Execution, the following Vessels well fitted, armed & manned, will be committed to your Charge, & subjected to your Command Vizt —
| The Ship Repulse |
Peter Bruster |
| The Ship Champion |
James Josiah |
| The Sloop Surprize |
Benjamin Dunn |
| The Sloop Fly |
Elisha Warrier |
The Schooner Musqueto |
Thomas Albertson |
| & Two Fire Ships |
Besides these you will have
The Brig Convention, John Rice Commander, & the Schooner Delaware, Richard Ayres, two Vessels belonging to the State of Pennsylvania, which are ordered to join your Squadron, & be subject to your Command in this Expedition, by the Hone the Navy Board of the said State. With this Force you are to take Possession of the Cape May Channel, & to consider that as your Station 'till further Orders, & are to use your best Endeavours to guard the same for the Protection of such American Vessels, as may enter there; giving them all the Assistance you can whether Inward or outward bound, & endeavour to force a Passage for them through the said Channel, by fighting, burning, destroying, taking or driving away, such of the Enemy's Vessels of War as may come in your Way, or oppose their Passage along the said Channel — We have given Orders to Cap [Charles] Alexander to supply your Squadron with as many Men out of his Ship, as may be wanting for this Service —
In conducting this important Business we doubt not you will exert the utmost of your Magnanimity and Discretion, and we hereby strictly enjoin all the Continental Officers in the Squadron aforesaid; to be obedient to your Orders in all things concerning the Expedition on foot —
We expect that by Means of such Opportunities as may offer you will be punctual in giving us regular Intelligence from Time to Time of your Proceedings, keeping up as frequent a Correspondence with this Board, as the Circumstances of your Situation will permit —
You are as often as you shall judge necessary to hold Councils of War, and take the Opinions of your Brother Officers, & of the Captains Rice & Ayres respecting your Operations, and are to do every thing in your Power for the Maintainance of Harmony, Order, & good Discipline in your Squadron —
If any Matters of great Importance shou'd occur, we wou'd not have you trust the transmitting the Intelligence to us by Water only but we empower you to employ necessary Expresses by land who shall be paid by us for their Service, provided you forward us the Terms of your Agreement with them —
Reposing special Trust & Confidence in your Fidelity and Abilities we heartily bid you Farewell.
Given at the Continental Navy Board at Philada 'this Fifth day of August 1777 —
Fras Hopkinson John Nixon John Wharton
