Gentlemen:

I received yours at half past Twelve, and Immediately sent to the Commanders of the Boats to Repair on Board, which they did; I then Read the orders Received from you. They Requested a Number of Men, they being Short. Capt. Davidson [Samuel Davison] furnished Seventy-four. Capt. [William] Brown with the Chief of his Marines are gone. Capt. [William] Gamble is furnished with a Six Oar Boat, four Men with Mr. [Joseph] Greenway, third Lieutenant, who most Voluntarily offered their Services, and would have gone to a man Could I have Spar'd them, they this Night Rendizvouse under Hog Island, to receive Capt. Dougharty's [Henry Dougherty] orders, whom I gave a Copy of yours to me and his Signals, we have furnished them with Small Arms and Cartouch Boxes fill'd; you mention Inclosing an order to Capt. [Lambert] Wickes, to supply what may be defficient, that Order was not Inclosed, Capt. Wickes Came on board soon after, I read that part to him, he said he received no orders and could not let any of his Men go without it, tho' wish'd at the same time to do it, and would Immediately on Receipt of the orders. Thinking it Necessary to have a Surgeon to attend the Boats, I ordered my Doctor to apply to the person attending the Hospital, to furnish him with Medicine Chests that Doctor Duffield 'had with him, which he brought on Board, but have no keys for them, Could wish you would send theni by the Victualing Boat. Several of the Boats are very short of men, Capt. Davidson has Left 36, we have 54, all included, making it late to get them all despatch'd, have sent you this short Sketch of the Manner they have been Supply'd, Capt. Dougharty will attend Strictly to the disposition of the fire Sloop, and think Capt. Gamble has been exceedingly cool and deliberate on it, and appears to go with hopes of Success, which I sincerely wish him.

Since writing the above, the province Sloop came down about 10 O'clock, went on Board, where was Colonel John Cadwallader, Alexander Willcox, Esqr., James Mease, Esqr., and Capt. [Robert] White,. Received their orders, then went on Board. Capt. Wickes, with a Letter for his Men, which he comply'd with, from thence-on board the Gallies to acquaint Capt Dougharty of the Situation of the Ships of war; this morning they were to proceed as soon as possible, they could see their way at Six O'clock this Morning; sent on Board Capt. Wickes, the two Pilot Boats, and the two fire Boats; on Board of which he has put 10 Seamen, 1st Lieutenant, 24 Marines, and the Capt. with Two Searjeants, equip'd with Small arms, all in great Spirits; our Doctor, Mr. Machenery, is gone on Board George Verts Shallop to attend the Fleet, with one of the Medicine Chests from the Pest house; the Province Sloop went down early this morning with the Gentlemen on Board; we are now going to Assist Capt. Wickes thro' the Cheavax-de-frizes with all the hands we have left on board us and the Battery. I am, Gentlemen [&c.]

Directed, To Andrew Caldwell, Esqr., Commodore of the Province Fleet, and the Gentlemen of the Committee of Safety, Philadelphia.