Eagle [Off Chester] October 29th. 1777
Sir
I have received your Letter inclosing the State and Condition of the Cornwallis Galley, & the demand for her Provisions1 the Camilla's Provisions is Ordered for her And the Admiral wishes you would cause some of the decked vessels that are with you to come down for the Provisions for the several Ships as we have no other means of conveying it to them, The Roebuck & the Liverpool have sloop tenders and if they are not sufficient for the whole purposs you may Employ the Elk. the Bread for our Marines, I have not been able to send up, I must entrust you to take care of them I am [&c.]
Roger Curtis
P:S: the Admiral approves of your intention to reland the detachment whenever it may be proper & he hopes the Guns are properly secured,
There will be a quantity of Provisions go from hence to the Schylkill with the ensuing Evenings flood, if it is practicable the Provisions intended to be landed in row Creek is deferred for the Present and you will be informed when that design is to be carried into Execution—
LB, NHi, William Cornwallis Papers, Letter Book, 76-77.
1. See Cornwallis to Curtis, 28 Oct. 1777, ibid., 74; the enclosure is missing. That letter was written in response to a memorandum issued by Lord Howe on 25 Oct. requiring the commanders of Isis, Roe buck, Liverpool, Camilla, Pearl, Vigilant, Cornwallis, and Viper to provide him with a list of provisions each would need to complete their ship's stores for two months. See Howe to Cornwallis, 25 Oct. 1777, ibid., Order Books.
