The misterious conduct of the enemy at New York--and their appearance in force (as it is reported to me) at Crown point--with other circumstances unnecessary to detail--renders caution and vigilance extremely necessary at our Posts in the Highlands--I therefore desire that you will not delay a moment after your return to West point & to your command there in obtaining & reporting to me an exact state of the Provision & Water in the different Redoubt-- that you will see each of them, especially those wch are most remote & difficult to support as well supplied as our means will admit with Provision--and that every precaution is taken to prevent injury & waste of it--which I am told is by no means the case at present.

It will also be necessary to have Troops assigned to each work and your disposition for the defence of them so perfectly made as that no confusion or delay may ensue in case of a sudden call--In doing this let there be as little seperation of Corps, and of Men from their Officers, as the nature of the case will admit. The security of the Magazine is an object which requires much care & industry & I recommend it accordingly to your closest attention while you remain at the Post. I am Dr Sir yr Most Obed. Servt