A Letter from a Gentleman, who came home Passenger in the Swan, Captain Meadows, from New York, dated Corke, May 25, 1777, has the following:

At Baltimore there is a Congress Frigate of 30 Guns, called the Virginia, and nearly manned. . . . There is also another Frigate of 20 Guns, and several Privateers, ready for Sea; but want Seamen.

At Philadelphia there were three fine Frigates, one called the Washington, of 3G Guns; the Effingham of 32; and the Delaware of 28; besides a Number of Row Gallies, two floating Batteries, three hundred Fire-rafts, and two Fire-ships, in order to prevent the English Men of War from passing the Chevaux des Frize. The City of Philadelphia is defenceless on the Land Side.