In Council of War held on board the Sloop Speedwell off Red Bank 19 Nov^r. 1777

Summon'd to deliberate on the particularity of passing the City of Philad^a. with the Ships or Vessels of the Continental and state fleet on the River Delaware, that are of too great draught of Water to pass thro the Eastern orJersey Channell

It is the Unanimous opinion of this Council, that such an attempt is practicable with a fresh of Wind in the Morning flood in the Morning of the 20^th. Inst to run such ships & Vessels up the Western Channell, but as circumstances are such that their going up cannot possibly be deferrd beyond that time as our Army have evacuated Fort Mercer and of Consequence the Enemy must be possess'd of that Fortress and in cou[r]se of the whole Jersey coast, it is therefore unanimously determin'd that such ships or Vessels as are constrain'd to go up the Western Channel, be prepared with combustible matter so as to be set instantly on fire and consumed should the wind on the said Morning flood not be such as to render their passage up practicable. It is also unanimously determin'd that should the Wind & weather be such as to render impracticable the getting up in the Morning flood, the Galleys, or other smaller Vessels destined for the Eastern Channell the same preparations [be made for burning such Galleys or Vessels as mention'd in regard of the rest & they accordingly set on fire in prefference of their falling into the hands of the Enemy.]¹