[Extract]
My dear Sir

We hear that some of our internal Enemies have been endeavouring to engage some of your best pilots to assist in bringing the Fleet round from New York to Delaware: I look on this as I suppose it is generally considered, as a strong Confirmation of the Opinion, that the British Army intend to make a push for Philadelphia and that the Fleet is to cooperate; it appears to me that if these Motions could be delayed, a little Time gained would probably secure you. We have had many Reports of French Fleets I don't know whether any may be expected or not but I am satisfied that if the British Officers were strongly impressed with the Idea that a considerable French Fleet might be soon expected the British would not go up Delaware — no Officer would hazard the Destruction of the fleet and Army and the irretrievable Ruin of their Affairs at one Stroke which must be the Conseq. of a superior French Fleet coming to your Capes when the English was up your River but the English would finally collect their Fleet in some Situation where it might not only act but be assisted from the Shore ー If I am right in my Conjectures it would be very useful to give the Impression which I imagine might be done by the Board of War or some Committee of Congress or the General Officer at Phila collecting some of the best sailing pilot Boats stationing them somewhere below and engaging half a dozen or more pilots acquainted with New York &ca it might be done with an affected Secrecy and just so much leaked out as to lead to the Conclusion that they were to be put on board a French Fleet which was daily expected to arrive off Delaware perhaps the Arrival of some Vessel as an Express with very interesting secret Intelligence would be a proper point of Time to begin it I believe our Left handed Friends would soon convey the Intelligence If this Matter appears to you in the Light it does to me I should be glad the Finesse was tried if not I shall feel no Mortification in it's Rejection.

I am dear sir [&c.]