East Chester, as near the latter as may be without hazard of discovery. This party must remain perfectly concealed, with orders to apprehend all persons going towards Kingsbridge. It is essential that your party should not be seen by the inhabitants, as this might frustrate the very object of our operations. You will be convinced, Sir, by your own experience and good sense, that the profoundest secrecy is absolutely necessary in all military matters, and in no instance more.

racks. In the hollow, near the barrier gate, are about fourteen or fifteen tents, which are the only encampment I could see without the line of palisades. A continued hill from the creek, east of Haerlem River and a little below Morris's White House, has from every part of it the command of the opposite shore, and all the plain adjoining is within range of shot from batteries, which may be erected thereon. The general width of the river, along this range of hills, appears to be from one hundred to two hundred yards. The opposite shore, though more or less marshy, does not seem miry, and the banks are very easy of access. How far the battery, under cover of the blockhouse on the hill northwest of Haerlem town, is capable of scouring the plain, is difficult to determine from this side; but it would seem as if the distance were too great to be within the range of its shot on that part of the plain nearest the creek before mentioned, and which is also nearest the heights back of our old lines thrown up in the year 1776. It unfortunately happens, that, in the rear of the continued hill before mentioned, there is a deep swamp, and the grounds west of that swamp are not so high as the heights near Haerlem River. In the rear of this again is the Brunx, which is not to be crossed without boats below Delancey's Mills.

"July 23d. Went upon Frog's Neck to see what communication could be had with Long Island, and the engineers attended with instruments to measure the distance across. Having finished the reconnoitre without damage, a few harmless shot only being fired at us, we marched back about six o'clock by the same routes we went down, but in a reversed order of march, and arrived at camp about midnight."

Supposing it probable, that Count de Grasse would shortly appear off Sandy Hook with his fleet, General Washington wrote to him, on the 21st of July, in Count de Rochambeau's cipher, acquainting him with the junction of the allied armies, their position and strength, and the force of the enemy; and also explained the plans then in view as to future operations. This letter was sent under cover to General Forman, at Monmouth, with a request that he would keep look-outs on the heights, and, as soon as the fleet should approach, go on board the fleet in person and deliver the letter to Count de Grasse.

indispensably so, than in movements towards the enemy's lines. After you have given all the necessary orders, I could wish you would come to head-quarters and dine with me, as I may have many things to communicate personally to you. I am, &c.

TO THOMAS MCKEAN, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.*

SIR,

Head-Quarters, 21 July, 1781.

I have been honored by the receipt of your letter of the 14th and 17th of this month, with the several resolutions of Congress, and the extracts from intercepted letters enclosed. I am obliged by your attention in the communication of the extracts, although I had been favored with them through another channel, previous to the receipt of yours. The intelligence to be collected from them, if properly improved, I think may turn greatly to our advantage.†

I take this opportunity most sincerely to congratulate you, Sir, on the honor conferred on you by Congress, in being elected to preside in that most respectable body. Happy, as I expect to be in your correspondence, I dare say I shall have no reason to complain of the mode of your conducting it, as from a knowledge of your character I flatter myself it will ever be performed with great propriety. I take the liberty, however, to request as a particular favor, that you will be so good as to convey to me, as you have opportunity, any interesting intelligence, which you may receive

* Chosen President of Congress on the 10th of July, as successor to Mr. Huntington, who had resigned. Samuel Johnson, of North Carolina, was first chosen, but he declined accepting the appointment.

+ See these extracts from intercepted letters in the APPENDIX, No. III.

either from Europe, or respecting our Continental affairs. Your situation will put it particularly in your power to oblige me in this respect, and be assured, Sir, that a greater obligation cannot be conferred; since, for want of communication in this way, I have often been left in the dark in matters, which essentially concern the public welfare, and which, if known, might be very influential in the government of my conduct in the military line.

I am very happy to be informed, by accounts from all parts of the continent, of the agreeable prospect of a very plentiful supply of almost all the productions of the earth. Blessed as we are with the bounties of Providence, necessary for our support and defence, the fault must surely be our own, and great indeed will it be, if we do not by a proper use of them obtain the noble prize for which we have so long been contending, the establishment of liberty, peace, and independence. I am, dear Sir, &c.

SIR,

TO COUNT DE BARRAS.

Head-Quarters, Dobbs's Ferry, 21 July, 1781.

I have been honored with your Excellency's favor of the 15th instant. I have no doubt but the reasons which induce you to decline the removal of the squadron under your command to the Chesapeake at this time are founded in propriety; but I am certain, that, could the measure have taken place, it would have been attended with most valuable consequences, more especially as, from reports and appearances, the enemy are about to bring part of their troops from Virginia to New York. Although the detachments from

VOL. VIII.

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your fleet under the command of the Baron d'Angely did not succeed at Huntington, we are not the less obliged to your Excellency for directing the attempt to be made. If that post is maintained, I think an opportunity of striking it to advantage may still be found, and I doubt not but you will readily embrace it. I have the honor to be, &c.*

TO SAMUEL HUNTINGTON, IN CONGRESS.

SIR,

Head-Quarters, Dobbs's Ferry, 25 July, 1781.

I have been honored with your favor of the 10th, announcing your resignation of the chair of Congress and the election of Mr. McKean to that important sta

The reason assigned by M. de Barras for remaining at Newport was, that he thought it imprudent to risk any new enterprise, which might contravene the general plan of operations, and retard his junction with Count de Grasse. A few days afterwards (July 30), General Washington wrote in his Diary, that Count de Barras had expressed himself in still stronger terms against a removal from Newport. "This induced me," said he, "to desist from further representing the advantages, which would result from preventing a junction of the enemy's force at New York, and blocking up those now in Virginia; lest in the attempt any disaster should happen, and the loss of or damage to his fleet should be ascribed to my obstinacy in urging a measure, to which his own judgment was opposed, and the execution of which might impede his junction with the West India fleet, and thwart the views of the Count de Grasse upon this coast."

A large body of refugees was stationed at Lloyd's Neck, near Huntington Bay, where they had built a fort and provided other means of defence. A project had been for some time in view to attack and drive them from this post. Having no employment for his squadron at Newport, Count de Barras detached for this service three frigates with two hundred and fifty land troops, the whole under the command of the Baron d'Angely. The detachment sailed on the 10th of July, and was joined in the Sound by several boats with American volunteers and pilots from Fairfield. A landing was effected in the morning of the 12th near the fort at Lloyd's Neck; but it was soon discovered, that the place was much stronger than had been supposed, and not to be carried without

tion. I flattered myself with the hope of an opportunity of personally acknowledging the attentions, which I received from you during your presidency; but as I find you could not with convenience make a visit to the army on your way home, I am constrained to take this method of returning my thanks and expressing my sincere wishes for the reëstablishment of your health. I am exceedingly happy to hear, that our political affairs begin to assume a new and pleasing appearance, which, if continued, will I hope have an influence upon the military. That department is yet laboring under every difficulty and distress, and there seems to me little chance of its being relieved from the debility to which it is reduced; for, notwithstanding my pressing requisitions, and the more pressing occasion which there is for recruits at this moment, I may almost say I have not received one man since my last demand.

The station, which you have lately filled with so much honor, has given you an opportunity of making yourself intimately acquainted with our real situation; and a representation from you to your State will naturally have more weight, than that of a stranger to public affairs. Be assured, Sir, you cannot employ your time better at home, than in constantly impressing all ranks with the necessity of recruiting and supplying the army. I have the honor to be, &c.

cannon, which had not been provided. The party retreated and reëmbarked. Two or three men were wounded by a cannon-shot from the fort. The enemy's vessels went up a river beyond the reach of the French frigates, so that no damage was done to them. The expedition was throughout a failure.-MS. Letter of Count de Barras, July 15th.