About 3. O’Clock this afternoon I was informed that a Flag from Lord Howe was coming up and waited with two of our Whale Boats untill directions should be given. I immediately convened such of the General Officers, as were not upon other duty, who agreed in Opinion that I ought not to receive any Letter directed to me as a private Gentleman; but if otherwise and the Officer desired to come up to deliver the Letter himself, as was suggested, he should come under a safe conduct: Upon this I directed Col. Reed to go down and manage the Affair under the above general Instruction: On his return he informed me, after the common civilities the Officer acquainted him, that he had a Letter from Lord Howe to Mr. Washington, which he shewed under a superscription “to George Washington Esquire.” Col. Reed replied there was no such person in the Army, and that a Letter Intended for the General could not be received under such a direction. The Officer expressed great concern, said it was a Letter rather of a Civil than Military Nature; That Lord Howe regretted he had not arrived sooner; That he (Lord Howe) had great Powers. The anxiety to have the Letter received was very evident, tho’ the Officer disclaimed all Knowledge of its Contents; However Col. Reeds Instructions being positive, they parted. After they had got some distance, the Officer with the Flag, again put about and asked under what direction Mr. Washington chose to be addressed, to which Col. Reed answered his station was well known, and that certainly they could be at no Loss how to direct to him. The Officer said they knew It and lamented It, and again repeated his wish that the Letter could be received. Col. Reed told him, a proper direction would obviate all difficulties, and that this was no new Matter. This Subject having been fully discussed in the course of the last year of which Lord Howe could not be ignorant, upon which they parted.

I would not upon any occasion sacrifice Essentials to Punctilio, but in this Instance the Opinion of others, concurring with my own, I deemed it a duty to my Country and my Appointment, to insist upon that respect, which in any other than a public view I would willingly have waived. Nor do I doubt but from the supposed nature of the Message and the anxiety expressed, they will either repeat their Flag, or fall upon some mode to communicate the Import and consequence of It.**