Note 44 — Chapter I · THE NAVAL COMMITTEE
Reading edition
Ford, Writings of Washington, III, 299-300, 319. Washington wrote on January 4, 1776, to Joseph Reed: “I fear your fleet has been so long in fitting, and the destination of it so well known, that the end will be defeated, if the vessels escape.” In July, 1776, Dunmore’s fleet consisted of more than forty vessels, most of which, however, were probably unarmed, being occupied by refugee Tories.—Maryland Archives, XII, 24-25.