In consequence of his Excellency Gen. Washingtons orders to us¹ to inquire in conjunction with Gen^l. Varnum & the officers of Fort Mercer & of the fleet, into the practicability of defending the Cheavaux de frize & preventing the Enemy from raising them and its being the unanimously opinion of the Officers and of the Commodore & Cap^t Robeson (the eldest continental officer in the Navy) that the fleet can be of no service when Batteries are erected on Mud Island in the defence of either of the River or Fort We recommend it to the Commodore, with the first favourable Wind to attempt passing up the River past the City of Philad^a. to such place as he judge proper endeavouring in his way to destroy the Delaware Frigate by the Fire Ships