At the moment of his arrival, the American com-mander-in-chief was absent, being engaged with the general officers of the army, in reconnoitring the grounds in the vicin-ity of Throg's Neck. Lee at once rode forth and joined them. Washington immediately gave him command of all the troops posted between Harlem River and the Sound, now more than half of the army; but desired that he would not exercise his office for a day or two, in order that he might make him-self acquainted with the circumstances and duties of the post. General Heath in the meanwhile continued in the command. The long established mode of conducting public affairs in the United States, "required that every important measure should be the result of consulation and should receive the approbation of a majority." General Washington, therefore, in compliance with the opinions and usages of the people, called in council the general officers on the 16th, and laid be-fore them the propriety of removing the American army from its position, in order to counteract the operations of the enemy.
A long and animated debate ensued. General Lee whose experience and late success gave him great weight, strongly urged the abslute necessity of the measure. "After much consideration and debate," say the Proceedings of the Council of war, "the following question was put: 'Whether it having appeared, that the obstructions in the North River have proved insufficient, and that the enemy's whole force is in our rear at Frog's Point, it is now deemed possible in our present situation to prevent the enemy from cutting off