Sir

You'll immedy put your Vessel in as Compleat Order for a State of Defence as you possibly can, the Men that I shall send on Board your Gally are to be immedy under your Command & follow your Directions Any Assistance that you want, or I can furnish you with, you may Rely on I am [&c.]

To Captn Abraham Lewis of Lady Washington Galley

The Signals to be given on the Appearance of the Enemy are the Firing of two Cannon by General [James] Varnum at Peeks Kill one minute from each other, two by General [Jedediah] Huntington, arid two by General [Samuel H.] Parsons to be Answerd by two at Fort Independant, two at Fort Montgomery, two at Fort Constitution, and the B[e]acon there fired as usual to be Answered by two from the Brass Twenty four Pounder near New Windsor

John Hodge