I received your Excellencys¹ just now, but to comply with your desire at present is impossible, as the Enimy have one Battery at the Mouth of Schuylkill² and another at or near Hollenders Creek, and large parties of Men station'd in different parts above and below Webbs Ferry. 'tho one redoubt³ opposite to Fort Mifflin, which was attack'd this Morning by landing a number of Men, and the Galleys covering them and firing on the redoubt, but the Enimy appear'd so much superior in number to us that our people were oblig'd to return after having two Men killed and five Wounded. Our  Fleet is so reduc'd by desertion that four of the Galleys have not Men enough to Man One, and if I should land a number of those on board the other Galleys I can have no dependence on their return.Your Excellency may depend I will do every thing in my power to distress and annoy the Enimy, and join most heartily in any measures with the Gen­tlemen of the Land Army and give them every assistance in my power and am [&c.]

P.S. If your Excellency could furnish me with One hundred and fifty Men acquainted with the water, it would enable me to support the pass effectifely.—