George Washington to Henry Lee

I have received Your Letter of this afternoon. I have had it for some days in contemplation to have the attempt made to which you allude; but from the information I had received with respect to the Enemy’s situation and post, I did not imagine that it could be made; nor do I now, in the way you seem to think it may. I wish You to inform me more particularly than You have, of their force according to the intelligence you may have obtained and of the nature of their work; and that You will if circumstances admit, gain a more perfect knowledge of them than You now possess and communicate it to me.

I am etc.¹