I have given the most peremptory Orders, that no Flags from the Enemy shall be received at any other place, or post, but Dobbs’s Ferry, on any business or pretext whatever,and that no Flags from us to them, shall (for any reason however pressing) be permitted to pass to the Enemies Lines, except from the same place.

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 acqauinted with the matter, in the State over which you preside.

These Orders, are given to all officers commanding on the lines, in the several States contiguous to Posts occupied by the British, which I shall cause to be rigidly obey’d, and hope for the concurrence of the civil Power in preventing all other intercourse with the Enemy. I have the honor to be with great respect your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servt