Letter from General Washington to General George Clinton

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Head Quarters, New York, August 8, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Yours of the 2d instant is duly received. Enclosed you have a resolution of the Provincial Convention, which came to hand last evening, by which you will please to regulate your conduct. I must beg you to inform me, as soon as possible, what number your brigade now consists of, and what number it will contain when a fourth part of the Militia are draughted, agreeable to order of the Provincial Congress.

By intelligence received and movements observed of the enemy, we have the greatest reason to believe a general attack will be made in the course of a few days. Our numbers are much short of the enemy. I hope no time will be lost in marching the reinforcements expected, to our assistance, from different quarters, with all possible despatch.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,
GO˙ WASHINGTON.

To Brigadier-General George Clinton, New York Militia.