Worcester County June 28th 1777
Sir/
In obedience to your Request in yours of the 12 Inst we have consulted as to the Best mode of defence for Synepuxent Inlet and are clearly of Opinion that a row Galley constructed for a small draught of Water, will best answer the purpose, we think that a Galley to Carey Two Twelve poundrs and Sum Smaller Guns could protect the harbour against any of the Enemys Tenders for which there is Water in the Inlet. From the Bleakness of the place Judge that a floting Battery would be Useless except in Very moderate weather; for that reason we apprehend, that a Galley would be much more servicable, as She would be much more Manageable and would live much better in a high Sea, At present the Militia are planting some Cannon on the South Beach & on South point, which will Command the harbour, but the Cannon must be removed early in the fall, as the Beach is frequently overflowed, when the hard Easterlywinds Come on —
Should you think proper to adopt our proposal, we must request, that you will send down a workman who is Acquainted with building Vesels of that kind as we know none that are. we could git Carpendars as Under workmen if we had one Master Bulder
We are with Due respect [&c.]
Zadock Purnell Joseph Dashiell John Dorne