A letter, of 7, from Robert Martin, lieutenant in the continental navy, at Snow Hill, was read, informing "that being there on furlough till called to duty, and hearing of a French fleet on the coast, he has presumed to go on board the said fleet without orders, apprehending he may be serviceable there.”¹

A letter, of 10 July, from S. Deane, Esqr. Delaware Bay, was read, informing Congress of his arrival on board the Languedoc, commanded by his excellency the Count d'Estaing, with a fleet of 12 sail of the line, and four frigates, that sailed from Toulon 10 April:²

Ordered, That it be referred to a committee of three, and that they be directed to take the speediest measures for furnishing the Count d'Estaing with a sufficient number of skilful pilots: 

The members chosen, Mr.[William] Duer, Mr. J[onathan] B[ayard] Smith, and Mr. [Elias] Boudinot.³ 

A letter, of the 8, from Count d'Estaing, commander of the French fleet, was read;⁴ Whereupon, 

Resolved, That General Washington be informed by Mr. President, that it is the desire of Congress that he co-operate with his excellency Count d'Estaing, commander of a French squadron now on the coast of North America, and proceeding to New York, in the execution of such offensive operations against the enemy as they shall mutually approve. 

His most Christian Majesty the King of France, having thought proper to send on the coasts a powerful fleet, in order to co-operate with the forces of these states, in the reduction of the British army and navy: 

Resolved, That General Washington be empowered to call on the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, or such of them as he shall judge proper, for such aids of their militia as he shall think requisite for carrying on his operations in concert with Count d'Estaing, commander of the French fleet; and that it be earnestly recommended to the states above mentioned, to exert themselves in forwarding the force which may be required from them with the utmost despatch.⁵

Resolved, That the Marine Committee be directed to order the commissioners of the navy to the eastward, to fit out as many continental frigates and armed vessels as possible, with the utmost despatch, to join the French squadron in their operations against the enemy.⁶