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.

58 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [A.T. 49.
TO COLONEL ELIAS DAYTON.
New Windsor, 28 May, 1781.
DEAR SIR,
The late accounts from New York are mysterious
and perplexing, but they at any rate demand that we
should be in readiness to move. You will therefore
concentre as much as possible your brigade, and put
them under marching orders. The parties at the Clove
are not to be immediately called in, but the officers
commanding them should be warned to be in readiness. Should an evacuation of New York take place,
as many strongly suspect, the troops under your command will be next in order for detachment. You will
therefore desire the officers to make preparation for a
move farther than merely to join the main body of
the army. As I am very anxious to learn what they
are really doing in New York, you will oblige me by
obtaining and sending me as accurate intelligence as
possible. I am, &c.
TO JOHN SULLIVAN, IN CONGRESS.
New Windsor, 29 May, 1781.
DEAR SIR,
No arguments were necessary to convince me of the
very great public utility, which would result from the
success of the plan you proposed laying before Congress. Had I been unapprized of the advantages,
which might be derived to our cause from a successful
attempt, or even a powerful diversion in that quarter,
the reasons you have offered would have carried irrefragable demonstration with them, and induced me to
be of your opinion. But the distressed and embarrass