In Council of War held on board the Chatham Galley Nov^r. 14^th. 1777 Summoned by Commodore Hazlewood to deliberate on a letter wrote him by his Excellency Gen^l. Washington dated Whitemarsh 13^th Nov^r. 1777 —¹

After maturely considering the contents of his Excellency's Letter, this Council are unanimously of opinion, That should Fort Mifflin be evacuated & so fall into the enemys hands, it will be altogether impracticable for our Fleet or any of them to keep their present Station, or to prevent in such case the enemys raising works at the aforementioned Fort Mifflin, as in their present situation they are within reach of Shot & Shells from the enemys Batterys on Province Island. But should such evacuation on our side, & possession on that of the enemy take place, this Council are of opinion, that by the Batterys raised & to be raised on this the Jersey Shore on the upper side of Mantua Creek, & above that opposite the Cheveaux de Friez, the passage of the Enemys Shipping especially those of any considerable force, will be altogether obstructed as without raising, or removing the Chevaux de Friez, it is impossible such Ships can have a passage.

Much, indeed all depends on our keeping possession of the Jerseys, for should the enemy prevail there, it is our opinion, that our Fleet will be altogether annihilated, as in that case our retreat & resources will be entirely cut off.

Should we be by the enemy's getting possession of Fort Mifflin, be obliged to retire further up, we have a sure retreat into Timber Creek, where all our Fleet may shelter in safety, from whence the Galleys might in a very short time salley out & we trust defeat any light Vessels of the enemy, for which the pass thro' in the intervals between the Chevaux de Frieze might be practicable, but those Vessels in such case must meet with many obstacles, not only the risque of venturing thro' almost impracticable passes, but be also exposed to the fire of those large Batterys of ours on this the Jersey Shore —

We of the Council are therefore unanimously of opinion, That on our Forces keeping possession of the Jerseys, depends altogether the preservation of our Fleet, & consequently every expectation to be formed from its Manoeuvres in future.