George Washington to Henry Lee

You are immediately to proceed, with a party of Horse to Dover and the Head of Elk, and in conjunction with the Commissaries there, exert your utmost endeavours, to hasten to this Army all the flesh provisions deposited in the Magazines, at those places. In order to this, you are empowered to impress throughout the Country, any Number of Waggons you may stand in need of. I have also written to Genl. Smallwood, whom you will consult on the occasion, to afford you every assistance in his power, he will furnish you with proper Officers, acquainted with the adjacent Country, to aid in the execution of your purpose.

After putting in motion all the provisions in the aforementioned magazines, I wou’d recommend to you to consult Genl. Smallwood, on the propriety and expediency of collecting Cattle and Forage about the Country to which you are sent, and if any resources can be derived thence towards the relief of our distresses it will be infinitely desirable. I need say nothing to animate your zeal on this occasion. I am confident you have too just a sense of our necessities to omit any exertion it will possibly be in your power to make.¹