[Philadelphia, November 28, 1775] 2
[Extract]
Our River is well secured by a Cheval de Frise sunk about eight Miles below our Town, with a small Aperature for our own Vessels to pass thro', which they generally can do with the Assistance of a good Pilot who knows the Situation of this Machine or Instrument of Defence; altho' we have already lost two small Vessels in attempting to pass it, even with good Pilots on Board. None of the Lewistown Pilots are suffered to come up higher than Chester, nor to go on board of any Vessel at Lewis Town without Application first made to the Committee there: There are other Pilots stationed at Chester to bring up the Vessels thro the Cheval de Frise. And we have 13 Gondaloes with a large Cannon of 24 to 48 Prs with Men, on board to guard this Pass, so that it will be very difficult for a Man of War to come up to Town. ー
1. PRO, Colonial Office, 5/40. An intercepted letter.
2. The writer says that he was daily waiting for word of Montreal's surrender which took place on November 13, 1775; and news of which reached Congress on November 29.
