National Gazette

Considerable misunderstandings have prevailed between the merchants of this port
and the pilots for the Delaware, relative to
the rates of pilotage, which by the latter are
thought too low; who now demand one
dollar for each half foot draft of water, for
vessels drawing 12 feet and under; and 1s. 6d.
per half foot for vessels above that draft—
and require vessels not registered within the
United States to pay 20s. with some other
demands, which are either disagreed to by
the merchants, or taken no notice of. In
consequence of these misunderstandings,
several large vessels, ready for sea, have
been some time detained at the wharves.
the pilots having refused to take charge of
them unless their demands are allowed.—
Some of the captains have determined to
proceed to sea without pilots, relying on
their own skill, shallop-men, and the direction of charts; a considerable number have
already sailed, and others are preparing to
follow, at a risque easy to be conceived of
by those who have any knowledge of the
intricate navigation of Delaware Bay. and
the danger of a heavy ship grounding on the
shoals.