[Extract]
Sir:

I Receiv'd your Excellencys Letter of the 7^th. and have read it to the Officers of the Navy which assists not a little to keep up their Spirits.¹ Yesterday a large Scow was brought down the Schuylkil which we secur'd, after wounding One of  their  Men. Our Intelligence informs that Six Boats were ready to come down from the lower ferry² and in the evening we heard that a large Body with 20 p^s. of Artillery and Boats on Carriages from the City³ were marching down to Webbs ferry, in consequence of these Accounts the Commodore⁴ sent some arm'd Boats & Gundolas in the mouth of the Schuylkil, who discovered the enemy at work along the bank. The Boats kept up a fire on them all night, in the morning they opened a small Battery and fir'd briskly for Some time. The Commodore intends attacking  them at  high Water and try if possible to silence them. They will answer two purposes by erecting Batteries so as to keep the Gallies out of Schuylkil, One, that in case your Excellency defeats them they may have a safer retreat by Webbs ferry on a bridge of boats than any other, or they may bring over their Artillery and annoy us much in the fort, indeed it will be impossible for us to live in it, I shall in that case be oblig'd to cover my men, & shou'd they keep up their fire at night it will oblige us to sleep in the open Air, which will soon destroy my small party.... I have the honor to be [&c.]