Head Quarters [Whitpain, Pa.] October 27th: 1777
Sir
I am very apprehensive that the Enimy are preparing armed Boats, floating Batteries1 and Fire Rafts at Philada: with an intent to fall down upon your fleet when they are finished. The Delaware Frigate will be of the greatest Advantage to them in covering their smaller Vessels should they attack you. In my opinion there is much greater danger from an attack of this kind, than one directly in your front, because there you have the Chevaux de frise as a defence. I therefore would suggest the expediency of making an attempt to destroy the Frigate and what other preparations they are making, by surprise. I will not pretend to point out the mode to you who must be much better acquainted with things of this kind than I can possibly be, but if you think it can be done no means should be left untried to effect it. I am &
P.S. Could not the Frigate be fired as she lays at Anchor in a dark Night—
Df, DLC, Papers of George Washington, Series 4. Docketed: "27 [October] 1777/to/Com: Hazelwood."
1. Washington first received intelligence of the enemy's intention to build floating batteries nine days earlier. On 18 Oct. he wrote Col. Christopher Greene, the commanding officer at Fort Mercer: "I have just received information, that the Enemy are preparing a number of floating Batteries; this is a circumstance that ought seriously to be attended to. Inform the Commodore of it." Washington to Greene, 18 Oct., in Washington, Writings 9: 392-94.
