Philadelphia 16th Novr 1775
[Extract]
. . . our Instructions for an american Fleet has been long upon the Table;2 when it was first presented it was looked upon as perlectly chimerical, but Gentn now consider it in a very different Light; it is this Day to be taken into Consideration3 and I have great Hopes of carrying. Dr Franklin, Colo [Richard Henry] Lee, the two Adams and many others will support it; if it succeeds I shall remember your Idea of our building two of the Ships.
1. Knollenberg, ed., Ward Papers, 122-124.
2. The Rhode Island resolution of August 26, 1775.
3. If the matter was considered that day, the Journal of the Continental Congress does not indicate it.
