WASHINGTON TO ROBERT MORRIS.

Head Quarters, Dobbs's Ferry, }
August 2d, 1781. }

Dear 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 in 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 therefore wish you to inform yourself of, without making
a direct inquiry, is what number of tons of shipping could be obtained
in Philadelphia at any time between this and the 20th of this month,
and whether there could also be obtained at the same time, a few deep
waisted sloops and schooners, proper to carry horses. The number of
double decked vessels which may be wanted, of two hundred tons and
upwards, will not exceed thirty. I shall be glad of your answer as
soon as possible, because, if it is favorable, I can direct certain
preparations to be made in Philadelphia, and at other convenient
places, without incurring any suspicions. There certainly can be no
danger of not obtaining flour in Philadelphia, and as you seem to have
doubts of procuring salt meat there, I shall direct all that which is
to the eastward, to be collected at points from whence it may be
shipped at the shortest notice.

You will also oblige me by giving me your opinion of the number of
vessels which might be obtained at Baltimore, or other places in the
Chesapeake, in the time before mentioned, or thereabouts.

I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGT