[Extract]

...the Storm of War that raged for some time confined to the East has now extended it's baleful Influence & the threatening Tempest hangs heavy in threatening Clouds all along our Coasts. Our preparation here consists in thirteen Row Gailies each containing fifty men with Small Arms & Swivels, & a large Cannon mounted on each Galley; (the largest a thirty two pounder;) a floating Battery carrying ten eighteen pounders; a Ship of War for River Service of Sixteen Guns nine pounders I think they are, beside these we have Chiveaux de frize sunk across th Channel save a small passage for our Vessels, which is to be stopped in like manner as soon as necessity may require, & opposite the Chiveaux de frize a Battery commanding the Channel ー we have also some fire Ships, & fire Rafts in readiness if they coe up near the Town, all which together with the length of our River, & difficulty of the Channel will we hope under God's blessing prevent these Sons of murder from coming up to this City