On the same day, he vents his spleen in a tart letter to Heath. “I perceive,” writes he, “that you have formed an idea, that should General Washington remove to the Straits of Magellan, the instructions he left with you, upon a particular occasion, have, to all intents and purposes, invested you with a command separate from, and independent of any other superiors. * * * * That General Heath is by no means to consider himself obliged to obey the second in command.” He concluded by informing him that, as the commander-in-chief was now separated from them, he (Lee) commanded, of course, on this side of the water, and for the future would, and must be obeyed. Before receiving this letter, Heath, doubtful whether Washington might not be pressed, and desirous of having his troops across the Hudson, had sent off an express to him for explicit instructions on that point, and, in the mean time, had kept them ready for a move. General George Clinton, who was with him, and had the safety of the Hudson at heart, was in an agony of solicitude. “We have been under marching orders these three days past,” writes he, “and only wait the directions of General Washington. Should they be to move, all’s over with the river this season, and, I fear, for ever. General Lee, four or five days ago, had orders to move with his division across the river. Instead of so doing, he ordered General Heath to march his men through, and he would replace them with so many of his. General Heath could not do this consistent with his instructions, but put his men under marching orders to wait his Excellency’s orders.” Honest George Clinton was still perplexed and annoyed by these marchings and countermarchings; and especially with these incessant retreats. “A strange way of cooking business!” writes he. “We have no particular accounts yet from head-quarters, _but I am apt to believe retreating is yet fashionable_.” The return of the express sent to Washington, relieved Clinton’s anxiety about the Highlands; reiterating the original order, that the division under Heath should remain for the protection of the passes.