Gentn

As this Committee is charged with the management of the Commerce carried on for the Continental Service, We think it our duty to represent to your Board the Necessity there is for an Armed Vessell of some kind to be stationed at Cape May for the protection of the Trade to & from this Port, at present there is none of the Continental armed Vessells fit or ready for this Service, being all employed on other important pursuits, besides it has been judged the proper object of every State on this Continent to protect their own Ports to the utmost of their Power — We understand You have a large Galley intended to Cruize in the Bay.² If this Vessell is ordered down to Cape May immediately she may render Important Service to the private Trade of this port as well as to the Continental interest, and if any thing in the power of this or the Marine Committee is wanted to compleat your Galley depend on a ready Concurrence with Your desires. We have the honor to be Gentn [&c.]

PS Mr [Robert] Bridges informs us his Brige Cornelia & Molly is detained for want of a Pilot the Continent are interested & We wish for her dispatch.