From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 9 July 1780
To Major General Robert Howe
Head Quarters [Preakness, N.J.] 9th July 1780.
Dear Sir
You will be pleased to furnish the Bearer Mr Abraham Marlin with two Whale Boats well armed, for the purpose of sounding Haverstraw Bar.1 You will not let the persons who are to go in the Boats, or any others, know of this business previous to its execution, for should it come to the knowledge of the enemy, they might by sending up a Galley, interrupt it intirely. I am &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Abraham Marling had completed his task by 14 July; on that date he wrote to GW from Continental Village, N.Y.: “The Shoal in Haverstraw, Begins a bout Two miles Below Stoney point and Extends Two miles Downwards and is a mile wide on Said Shoal is no Less than four & three Quarters fathom at Low water from Thence the water Deepens to Six, Six & a half & seven fathoms, and so it Continues to Tarrey Town & the Channel Below haverstraw Bay is Betwean half a mile & three Quarters of a mile wide to the Best of my Skill” (LS, DLC:GW).