300 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.

wounds, and some other causes, the pretext for declining it -- as the negotiations for the surrender of West Point had already commenced. Soon after the relinquishment of the enterprise against New York, a meeting was concerted to take place between the American commanderin-chief and the French military and naval commanders. Hartford, on the Connecticut river, was the place assigned for their meeting; the object was to consult on their future joint operations. Upon the departure of Washington for this meeting, Greene was placed in command of the main army. This was on the 17th of September, 1780. On the eighteenth, Admiral Rodney arrived in New York with such an overwhelming reinforcement to the British navy as must have set the consultations at Hartford all at nought. From that time Greene's communications to the President of Congress are full of the hurried preparations going on at New York for some important enterprise ; little did he, or any other person suspect to what point that enterprise was directed.

It appears that General Greene had established a regular communication for obtaining intelligence from the city by spies ; and his correspondents in that place were at loss whether the expedition was intended for Rhode Island or Virginia. To one or other of these places the enemy had been careful to throw out hints, or exhibit appearances, that the expedition was directed.

Yet Green was not deceived; for in a letter on the 21st (just two days before the discovery of the plot) to General Washington, he writes,