Docketed.
This item is part of a collection of letters and documents concerning the siege of Yorktown and the surrender of Cornwallis; see main record for MA 488-489 for more information.
Commending him on his judgment in a certain action [against Lord Cornwallis in Virginia]; instructing him to follow Cornwallis if he "should cross James River and push into North Carolina"; stating that he is persuaded "the enemy will relinquish their plan of reducing Virginia and confine themselves to the preservation of that Garrison [New York] and the recovery of the Southern States. This is all they can hope for; especially as affairs in the West Indies are in a bad way"; adding that Lafayette should "not detach any of [his] force this way [i.e. to the South]" if Lord Cornwallis "continue[s] to prosecute his operations in Virginia"; advising him to "take every possible measure in [his] power to increase [his] Cavalry"; noting that he is told Maryland "is about to furnish a great number of horses"; expressing his concern that some of his letters to Lafayette may have miscarried, and sending him copies of the letters in question.