Gentlemen ー As it is of great Importance that the Communication between New York, this & the Southern Colonies be preserved, and no adequate provisions that we know of, having been made to keep open the Ferries over Pasaick & Hackinsack Rivers between Newark & Powles Hook, which in their present Situation may not only be safely obstructed by a single armed Vessel of the Enemy lying near them; but the Ferry Boats may be seized & the passing & repassing of our Troops on emergent Occasions, thereby, for a considerable time impeded; And as from the exposed & unguarded Situation of the Settlements up said Rivers, the Creeks & Country adjacent to Newark Bay the Enemy may receive Supplies of Provisions either by Plunder or from disaffected Persons; And the making Provision for the above Purposes; as they intimately consider all the United States belonging to Your honorable House, We must desire You to propose, at first Opportunity, in Congress, that the most speedy & effectual Measures may be adopted to obtain these salutary Endsー

We conceive there are but two Practicable Methods ー Vizt By Batteries at the Several Ferries or by armed Vessels. ー The Ground on each Side of the Ferries, being low salt Marsh, will not, without very great Expences, admit of being fortified; but if this had not been the Case, a larger Number of heavy Cannon wou'd be necessary to answer our Purposes than perhaps can be procured; or if procurable, than woud be necessary if employed on board one or more Vessels of the Row Galley or Gondola Construction ー Protection by armed Vessels have a further Advantage over Fortifications at the Ferries; the Fortifications must have great Strength, a considerable Number of Cannon gb a large Body of Men stationed there, or a Descent of the Enemy might take Cannon & Men together, as the Cannon cou'd not be retreated with, and the Distance of the Ferries from Succour, too great to expect Supplies in Time ー On the Contrary, an armed Vessel stationed at or near each Ferry of the Row Galley or Gondola kind, carrying only an 18 Pounder each, with Swivels, Cohorns or Blunderbusses may be sufficient, & their Forces may be occasionally united; for being so contiguous, they may readily act in Concert; and by being made to draw but little Water and to row swiftly, may if they find the Force attacking them too powerful, secure a safe Retreat where the Enemy's Tenders cannot pursue themー

But perhaps heavy Cannon may be spared for one Gondola & not more; in such Case a Vessel of the Cat Schooner kind might be usefully employed for the other Vessel: ー We are informed there are two in Pasaick River, well built & almost new & that either of them may be hired for a small Consideration provided their Owners are assured of their being returned in as good Order as when delivered or of being paid the Value in Case they shou'd be irreparably damaged ー The Dimensions about 45 feet in Length ー 14 feet, Breadth 4½ feet depth, draw but little Water & one of them sails remarkably swift.

Altho Gondolas may not so advantageously attack Ships of War, yet their Tenders, or Vessels of such Size as can approach the Ferries will not chuse to come in the Way of an 18 or 24 Pounderー

If not a single Cannon of this Weight can be spared; perhaps both the above-mentioned Cat Schooners may be usefully employed in this Service; they will probably carry either two six Pounders on each Side, & a 6 or 9 Pounder in the Bow, or three 4 Pounders on each Side & a 6 Pounder in the Bow - besides Swivels, Cohorns & Blunderbusses (as they may be procurable,) Spears & small Armsー

We were so perfectly convinced of the Importance & Utility of making Provision for the above Purpose, that had the State of our Funds permitted it, as much depends on Dispatch, We might probably have gone into the Measures necessary to that End, not doubting but Congress, when convinced of their general Utility to the United States wou'd have ordered a Reimbursement of the Expences ー &c

Two other armed Vessels might be advantageously stationed at proper Places between the Ferries abovementioned & the Mouth of Raritan River; they might Cooperate occasionally, either for the Purposes afsd, or for annoying the Enemy, or be employed to protect the Ferry from South to Perth Amboy & the Navigation of Raritan River; which Protection wou'd be a great Saving either in Troops crossing the Ferry to Amboy or in transporting Provisions, Baggage &c. from Brunswick, by Water, to the Camp at Amboyー

As it is important that no Time be lost in making the afsd Provision; And as from the Multiplicity of interesting Business before Congress, this may be delayed; If Congress will provide for the Expence, & request it, We shall be willing to give a helping hand towards carrying their Resolutions on this Subject into Effect

We are Gentlemen [&c.]
By Order of the Convention