I am very fearfull that you have met with more Trouble in establishing the Chain of expresses than you expected -- as I have not had the Pleasure of hearing from you since your first Favor of 2.3d inst. -- -and I am informed from N. York that a fleet with part of the Army of Lord Cornwallis from Virginia arrived at that Place last Tuesday. My Anxiety to be early and well informed of the Enemy's movements by Water induces me to wish to hear from you as often and as speedily as any material Circumstances renders it necessarv. -- I am Sir Your most obedient Servant, G. Washington.

And again on the 5th of August Washington wrote to Forman in terms indicating that ho was still looking for de Grasse. "I last night," he said, tk received yours of the 3d instant. Graves's [British] Fleet was certainly off Block Island a few days ago. It is supposed he has taken that position to cover Hie Quebec ships as they pass along, and at the same time give those which may be expected from Virginia an opportunity of making their voyage safely. I am not acquainted with the private signals of M. de Grasse, but I think it may soon be discovered, upon the appearance of a Fleet, whether they are Friends or Foes. If the latter, they will immediately send in a light ship, or one will come out to them." In this letter he also expressed apprehension that Forman's expresses from Monmouth might be intercepted by small parties of the enemy, and directed that ;i new and less exposed route for them be established. It is well known that Washington, as soon as he decided on the move to Virginia, took pains to have certain decoy dispatches fall into the hands of the enemy, in order that Clinton should credit him with no other intention than to fall upon New York.