Letter George Washington to William Alexander, Lord Stirling, July 30, 1777, two same date
The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 08
My Lord: Yours of the 28th. from Elizabeth Town did not reach me until this morning. From the conclusion of it, I am apprehensive that you intend to halt at Bound Brook for further orders, but I hope that will not be the case, as it was my intention that you should march immediately by the nearest route to Delaware, provided the expedition to Staten Island did not take place. (55) The part of the River to which you are to march, will depend upon the place where this will meet you; if Trenton will not be out of your way, you may proceed to this place, where there is a plentiful Magazine of Provisions. But if you have advanced upon the road leading to this Ferry you may come on. If you go to Trenton, you will find orders lodged for you, not to cross the Delaware and march towards Philadelphia till Genl. Gates informs you that the Fleet have entered the Bay. I beg you will reach the River as expeditiously as you can without injuring the Troops. I am etc. (56)
[Note 55: On this same day Hamilton wrote to Putnam by Washington's directions emphasizing the necessity of reliable information of the movement of the British Fleet. Gen. George Clinton was compelled to give up his command in the Highlands on being elected Governor of New York, and Gen. James Clinton was recommended to succeed to the command. James Clinton, however, was thought to lack activity, so Col. William Malcom, who was then stationed in Smith's Clove, was suggested as his assistant. The time of the militia at the Highlands was expired, and Putnam was ordered to attend to this "particularly." Hamilton's draft is in the Washington Papers.]
[Note 56: The draft is in the writing of Richard Kidder Meade.]
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw080441))