Ph[iladelphi]a 4th March 1776.
[Extract]
Dr Papa We got here Saturday evening about 4 o'clock ー I shall give you a short acct of our journey: we crossed the bay in 2 hours and a half under a reefed foresail: there was a very high swell in the bay & we were both very sick:
we got that evening to Chester town ー the next day we set off facing a cold northwest wind we got no further Thursday then to Warwick 24 miles from Chester[town] ー the roads were bad & the weather intensily cold . . . . friday evening we got to Newcastle: the morning ride was cold, the evening's comparatively mild. Saturday in a Packet boat at Newcastle having first engaged a man to carry our horses & my chair to Green trees ー I hope they will get to Annapolis this evening. We had a plaisant sail from N.Castle to this city: the distance by water is 40 miles ー we passed thro' the cheveaux de frize but could see nothing of them there is a chanel, or opening left of 70 feet wide for vessels to go thro': this on notice given of the approach of the enemy will be obstructed by more chevaux defrize ready to be Sunk & by a large boom & chain: the row gallies will be stationed at the point of the Iland wh lies behind the chevaux de frize & wch will protect them from the enemy's fire: There is a floating battery ready to be launched: I saw it as I Sailed up the river but at too great a distance to describe it. I shall if I have time, go and examine it ー They are building here 4 or 5 frigates: in Fact this city appears quite like a garrisonー
Monday evening
I have taken an agreeable morning walk. I went on board the floating battery. it will carry 10 18 pounders, and will draw 2.6 or 3 feet water - they have 13 row gallies, or gondolas, each of wh carry a 24 or 18 pounder. I went on board of one wh has a 24 pounder in the prow, & several swivels. They lie low in the water: besides the floating battery & row gallies, and a frigate of 24 guns, wh will be finished sometime next month, they have built Seve[ral] rafts, or flat bottom boats, wh are filled with combustibles & Ankerd together with chains: these rafts, row gallies, and frigate are intended to protect the cheveaux de frize. They are building here for the Continent 4 frigates, of 24 & 32 guns: they are fine Ships indeed, their timbers are all of cedar & live oak-a 60 gun Ship may come up to the city: but the above impediments, it is thought, will render the attempt too hazardous I saw one of the cheveaux de frize: this is its form the projecting pieces at top are armed with iron spikes ー I had the pleasure to see this morning a vessel come up to this port loaded with 27 Tons of Gunpowder, 5 tons of Saltpetre, 500 stand of arms, & coarse linens to the amount [of] £600 ster[ling] prime cost this vessel came from Zealand ー
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