Roebuck at Hampton Road in Virginia the 3d March 1776.
Sir By his Majestys Ship the Mercury which arrived here the 17th of last Month, I had the honor to receive your orders respecting the River Delawar, and you may depend, Sir; that I will do my utmost to execute them: I confess, however that, I am of opinion as the River is now become rather formidable, a much larger force is necessary for that service, than I am able to carry thither from hence.
I have here only the Liverpool, ill Man'd and sickly; the Otter in as bad a state; and the Kingsfisher Sloop: One Ship at least must be left at Norfolk to protect the Governor and the Fleet there, and not less than two can properly guard the mouth of the Chesepeak-bay. In my judgment, Sir, not less than three or four Ships of good force with a small one to cruize off the Capes can promise much success in opening the passage up so narrow a River which the Rebels have employed their whole art and industry for this year past to block up.
I understand those Chevaux de Frizes which the Rebels have sunk, have at least forty or fifty Tons of Ballast in them, which I concieve will be very difficult to raise, especially as they are protected by Battery's on the Jersey shore and the Armed craft in the River: Therefore, Sir, if you should think proper to send me more Ships as I hope you will, I should be glad to have a few Howitzers or Cohorns, which will certainly be of great service. I must also take the liberty of saying that as Philadelphia is now an object of great consequence, I really think, if any Troops can be spared, a body of Men to land occasionally on each side of the River would be a great Assistance to the expedition. One cannot bear the Idea of His Majesty's Arms meeting with an insult; therefore am perhaps more cautious than necessary, but shall be perfectly satisfied with whatever force you think proper to send, and shall be most happy to receive any advice for my proceedings that you may please to give me
I have not yet been able to procure a Single Pilot for Philadelphia, but have little doubt Captain [Alexander] Graeme of the Kingsfisher (who I have employed on that service) will be able to succeed: I have sent with him one of the Roebuck's officers in a Tender, with Orders in case of failing by stratagem to decoy the Pilots off at Cape Henlopen, to send the Boats into Lewis Town Creek, where they take Shelter, and endeavour to surprize them in their Vessels.
I intend very soon to move the Roebuck round to the Delaware, and shall leave Capt [Henry] Bellew here to, receive your orders.
I hope that I shall soon have the pleasure to hear from you, that you approve of my request, and attribute the liberty I have taken to its true motive, the zeal I have for his Majesty's Service. I have the Honor to be Sir [&c.]