George Washington to Captain Benjamin Hicks, 4 June 1781
To Captain Benjamin Hicks
Head Quarters New Windsor 4th June 1781
Sir
You will proceed to Elizabeth Town in New Jersey and make enquiry, in a way to avoid suspicion, whether a certain patrick Smith of Albany is or has been lately in that neighbourhood, or if he has lately found means to go from thence to New York. If you find him in the neighbourhood of Elizabeth Town you will apprehend him and immediately secure any papers he may have about him or at his lodgings. should he be gone into New York you will endeavour to find the time of his return and wait for him.1 Should you apprehend him you will bring him up under a Guard, for which you will apply to Colo. Dayton or Officer commanding the Jersey line. If you hear nothing of smith you will return to this place. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
GW’s aide-de-camp David Humphreys wrote Q.M. Gen. Timothy Pickering from New Windsor on this date: “His Excellency requests you will have provided, immediately, a Horse Saddle & Bridle for Captain Hicks, who is sent on public Business by the Express Order of the Commander in Chief” (DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 25770; addressed to Pickering at Newburgh, N.Y.). See also Pickering to Humphreys, this date, found at General Orders, this date, source note.
1. For Patrick Smith’s activities as a courier for a British spy ring, see James Clinton to GW, 30 May.