New York June 25th 1776
Sir,
I this Morning Received Information, that one or more Boats have passed through the Narrows in Defiance of the Fire from the Rifle Men, who had no Boats to pursue them. This passage I had Reason to suppose was properly guarded, by the Whale Boats under your Command, and am not a little surprised on hearing the Contrary.
I do expect you will for the Future have them rowing across the Narrows from Dusk of the Evening to Day Light in the Morning, giving Orders to each Boat to keep the strictest Lookout; as there is no Doubt our inveterate Enemies who have had a Hand in the late horrid Plot,2 will try every Method in their Power to escape from the Hands of Justice. I am sir. Yours &c
G. Washington
1. Washington Papers, LC.
2. The so-called Hickey Plot.