Sr,
I wrote you two Days ago.1 Yesterday we sent down to examine the Chevaux de Frize at Billingsport, and find that the two last that were sunk to stop up the Gap are remove higher up and put on one side, so that a Ship may warp thro'. A Ship & Brig are now preparing to be sunk in the Gap, which, if we can Effect, will stop the Channel.2 A large Fleet of Vessels are now as high as New Castle. Last Night a large Body of the Enemy came from Philada, and have erected a Battery near the mouth of Schuykill. Our Galleys fired at them in the Night and this Morning, but I believe with very little damage. Your most Hble Servt,
Wm. Bradford
Fort Mifflin, Octr 8th, 1777.
The Commodore3 is not under the least doubt of stoping the Channel, and if they should warp thro' he can destroy them.
Pennsylvania Archives, 1st ser., vol. 5: 649-50. Addressed below postscript: "On public Service. To His Excellency Thos Wharton, Esqr, President of the State of Pennsylvania, at Lancaster."
1. Not found.
2. Pennsylvania Navy fire brig Vesuvius and Pennsylvania Navy fire ship Strumbello. See William Brad ford to Thomas Wharton, Jr., 7 Oct. 1777, above.
3. John Hazelwood.