I have the honor to enclose to your Excellency the Copy of a Letter to Colonel Dayton, prohibiting the practice of sending Flags from, or receiving them at any place except the Post of Dobbs Ferry—This I thought essentially necessary for many reasons, which I doubt not will occur to your Excellency, and therefore request your aid in carrying the measure into effect, and that you will be pleased to communicate your Orders to all Persons who may have occasion to be acquainted with the Matter—in the State over which you preside.

Orders similar to those of Colonel Dayton, are given to all the Officers commanding on the Lines in the several States contiguous to Posts occupied by the British, which I shall cause to be rigidly obeyed; & hope for the concurrence of the civil Power in preventing all other intercourse with the Enemy, as far as possibly can be done. I have the honor to be With great respect