Philadelphia 18th April 1777
Sir
The Navy Board of this State having made application for the Assistance of Such Continental Cruizers as can with propriety be employed to defend the Cape May Channel in Delaware Bay against the enemies Ships and tenders now mollesting the trade at the Capes,1 We have thought proper in complyance with their request to order the Andrea Doria, Surprize, & Fly2 on this service. You are therefore to proceed soon as it is possible with the Sloop Surprize under your Command down the Cape May Channel until you join the Andrea Doria, where you will put yourself under the command of your Senior officer Captain Isaiah Robinson and in conjunction with him and the Gallies of this State exert your utmost abilities to secure the communication between this City and the Sea by means of that Channel, You must to the utmost of your power protect and assist all American Vessels inward or outward bound, and you are also to exert your utmost abilities and address to take, Sink, burn or destroy any or all of the enemies Ships that may come in your way.
When this service does not require your further attention consult your senior officer, and with his concurrence you may open the other orders given you herewith and proceed upon the execution of them. Remember there is a Cargo on board the Surprize and you will be careful not to expose it unnecessarilly to risque of being lost or taken.
We are Sir, Your hble servants
Letter book, Marine Committee Letter Book, Marine Committee Miscellaneous Papers, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
1 The Pennsylvania Navy Board made this request in an April 17 letter to the Marine Committee. Pa. Archives, 2d ser. 1:133. The Navy Board's origins and functions are described in John W. Jackson, The Pennsylvania Navy, 1775 - 1781: The Defense of the Delaware (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 1974), ch. 7.
2 On this day the Marine Committee also wrote a letter to Capt. Elisha Warner, commander of the Fly, ordering him to join with the Andrew Doria and Surprise "for the purpose of securing a Communication & passage between this City and the Sea and to protect and assist all American vessels inward and outward bound as well as to oppose the enemy all in their power." PCC Miscellaneous Papers, Marine Committee Letter Book, fols. 6849; and Paullin, Marine Committee Letters, 1:97 - 98.