Sender: George Washington
Recipient: The Officer Commanding Lee’s Corps

Sir:

As from Major Lees present situation, the command of his Corps will
devolve on you, I am to desire you will pa the strictest attention to
the movements of the enemy down the river. It is peculiarly necessary
at this juncture as I am well informed the arrival of Admiral Arbuthnot
has increased Sir Harry Clinton’s strength: from this circumstance it
will b necessary for us to double our diligence; I shall therefore rel
on you, to take every step in your power to make the earliest discovery
of any movements of the enemy [and communicate them to me without a
moment’s loss of time.]