The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

122 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [JET. 49.
have so distantly hinted; but I am really at a loss, on
account of not knowing the officers better, to find one
upon whose discretion I can depend. My own family,
you know, are constantly and fully employed. I hope,
however, that I have spoken plain enough to be understood by you. With every sentiment of affection
and regard, I am, &c.
TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF FINANCE.
Head-Quarters, Dobbs's Ferry, 2 August, 1781.
DEMR SIR,
The expectation of the pleasure of seeing you has
prevented me hitherto from making a communication
of a most important and interesting nature. But circumstances will not admit of further delay, and I must
trust it to paper. It seems reduced almost to a certainty, that the enemy will reinforce New York with
part of their troops from Virginia. In that case, the attempt against the former must be laid aside, as it will
not be in our power to draw together a force sufficient
to justify the undertaking. The detachment, which the
enemy will probably leave in Virginia, seems the next
object which ought to engage our attention, and which
will be a very practicable one, should we obtain a naval
superiority, of which I am not without hopes, and be
able to carry a body of men suddenly round by water.
The principal difficulty, which occurs, is obtaining transports at the moment they may be wanted; for, if they
are taken up beforehand, the use for which they are
designed cannot be concealed, and the enemy will
make arrangements to defeat the plan.
What I would wish you to inform yourself of, therefore, without making a direct inquiry, is what number