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By the Viscount Howe, Vice Admiral of the White and Commander in Chief of His Majesty's Ships and Vessels employed and to be employed &c^a. in North America.

Whereas it is intended that the Roebuck, together with the several Ships and Vessels named in the Margin,¹ should remain in this River; In such Stations during the ensuing Winter, for the Protection of the Town of Philadelphia and to keep an open Communication therewith, as Circumstances may require and the Commander in Chief of the Land Forces² approve or recommend: You are therefore to take the Captains of those Ships under your Command, for being so employed; and otherwise generally to co-operate in the Measures suggested by the Commander in Chief, or other Chief Officer in his Absence, as You are best able for the Benefit of His Majesty's Service in those respects, until farther Order.

A particular Attention will be requisite to the due Arrangement and orderly Conduct of the Transports appointed to remain at the Wharfs of the Town, whilst the State of the Weather at this Season renders that precaution necessary. You are to be assisted therein by the principal and other Agents of the Transports, as well as Wardens of the port who will have the General's Directions to that Effect.

When, as the Winter-Season advances, it becomes unadvisable longer to keep the several Ships of War on the detached Services in the mean Time requisite above the Town and contiguous to the Obstructions in the Channel of the River which the Enemy has effected; You will be to assign the proper Situations for placing those Ships also at the Wharfs of the Town, for the like Security. And when the River is cleared of the Ice in the ensuing Spring, so that the Ships of War may resume their former Stations they are to be disposed of (with the Concurrence of the General, or Chief Commander of the Land-Forces for the Time being) in such Manner as may be then judged most effectual for maintaining the same open Communication; And farther to assist in the Means which may be proposed by skilful Persons, for enlarging the present Channel, and rendering the Navigation safer from Billingport towards the Town: whereon you are at Liberty (no more eligible Expedient occurring) to contract with and employ such qualified persons as are willing to engage in that Undertaking.

The Experiment is, however, to be excepted under the Circumstances last mentioned: As some provision will be necessary for facilitating the Arrival of Transports or Ships of War directed to this River at such Times as the Navigation is practicable. And as the Experiment appears best adapted for this Occasion, the Commander, Sir James Wallace, will be to take his Station off of, or within the Shoals of the Brown and Brandywine, when his Stay is no longer required at Billingport; for affording such protection as aforesaid, and directing the Commanders of the Ships of War sent to join me here, to the Rendezvous left for his Guidance in that respect. He will be to receive into the Experiment the Pilots put onboard the Solebay, now occupying the same Station.

The Liverpool having received Damage by grounding on the sunk Frames off Billingport in attempting the Removal of them; She is to be hove down for repairing that Injury, in the Course of the ensuing Winter-Months with all the Expedition the State of the Weather will admit.³ And such Assistance, of Shipwrights or other Artificers is to be contracted for, and Stores purchased, as are found necessary: The Supplies which can be furnished from the Ships of the Squadron being insufficient for that Occasion. The same Latitude is given with respect to the Repair of the Flat-Boats, which is to be made an Object of your particular Care, and for procuring any Cordage or other Stores requisite for the ordinary Service of the Ships under your Direction.

Having retained the Prize named the Delaware to be employed with a proper Complement of Men as an Armed Ship in His Majesty's Service; And nominated Lieutenant Watt to the Command thereof; You are to take that Officer under your Orders, to be employed in the said Ship as part of the Squadron stationed in this River for the purposes of your present Appointment.

Given onboard His Majesty's Ship the Eagle off Chester the 2^d. Day of December 1777.