It is not clear what good was expected to be derived from those movements of the guns ; but it is very clear that, before the close of the year 1775, between three and four hundred Cannon, of all calibres, grades, and conditions -- some of them good and serviceable ; others, less valuable and less useful ; the greater number, honeycombed and worthless, unless for old iron ; and all of them, unmounted and without carriages -- were accumulated in three large gatherings, one, of about fifty guns, being at " John Wil- " liams's," ' the Williams-bridge of the present day ; one, " at or near Kingsbridge ; " and the third, or larger, parcel within two hundred and fifty yards of Isaac Valentine's house, the Valentine's-hill of that period, as well as of this.* They were entirely unguarded ; and it is very evident that they were lying side by side, presenting an apparently formidable array, notwithstanding their actually existing harmlessness.

In view of the seeming importance 'of that imposing park of artillery and of the entire absence of the slightest care for its safety -- in retaliation, also, it may have been, for insults oflered and wrongs and injuries inflicted -- somebody, early in January, 1776, effectually spiked all the guns and plugged many of them with large stones forced into them, and escaped without having been discovered. The exploit was

1 Vide pages 251, 274, ante.

- " While tliis immaculate General " [Charlex Lee,] " had the comniaiid " in New York, about 2 lO pieces of heavy cannon which were mounted " in Fort George and upon the Battery, were forcil)ly taken away by " hie orders, and lodged upon the Common," [Ihe MirAJ "facing his "Quarters. But, lest upon the arrival of the British Army, they " shouldbe retaken, he ordered them to be earried up to King' s Bridge, "about 14 miles from New York.