Secret Committee to Caesar Rodney

You will doubtless have heard of the heavy loss the Public as well as individuals are likely to meet with by the Ship Success, Capt Anderson, being drove onshoar & blown up, near Cape Henlopen but as we are informed a considerable quantity of Goods are on the Beach & like to be saved, We have hopes of lightening the loss & with this View we send down the bearer Mr. Purdie,¹ who will deliver you this letter and then proceed on his way for Lewis Town. We Request the favour of you to hire immediately a dozen to Twenty Waggons (if you have lately heard from the Beach & by your Accounts can judge what number may be necessary proportion them accordingly) and send them down as quick as possible attended by a Carefull Sober officer of Your Militia & such a Number of Men as you shall deem a good & sufficient guard to bring them & their Loading safe back. Mr. will prepare every thing against they get down and we hope very little time will be lost. We have given him One Thousand Dollars to defray Charges but as it is impossible to judge how much may be wanted, if this Sum is not sufficient we beg you will supply him with more & we will pay his drafts or repay you as you please.

It is our design that the Goods saved shall come no further than Dover untill we know the quantity & quality saved or find some other cause to give fresh orders, therefore We request you to provide a proper, dry & safe place to deposite them in, at Dover when they come up there. Well knowing your Zeal to serve your Country We suppose any apology for giving you this trouble is unnecessary but as it is possible you may not be in the way when Mr. arrives we think it necessary in that case to request this service from the Councill of Safety if such Public Body does now exist, or from some other public Body or Officer or Officers of Militia at Dover assuring them that the Service shall meet with every acknowledgment they can wish and that all Charges & expences will be duely paid. The Waggons you'l agree for on the best terms you can & the officer & men Composing the Guard will be on Continental Pay.

We are Dear Sir, your obedt hble servts, For & by order of the Secret Committee of Congress,

Robt Morris Chair Man