was carefully sounded, as far as the tenders went ; ' the inhabitants, especially those on the western bank of the river, were widely robbed, and, sometimes, their houses were burned ; - and the line of couiniunication, between the City and the upper portions of the country, was effectually cut ; ' but, if the purpose had been merely to cut off' the supplies, since the supplies of the City which were taken from Westchestercounty, were drawn, during the harvest-season, only in very limited ([uantilies and those from only the nearby farmers, possessing only limited means, the ships were anchored too far up the river; and that particular purpose of the expedition must have been, to some extent, defeated, by the mistake of the officer commanding it.

The Militia who were ordered out for the protection of the storehouses and the passes in the Highlands, responded with great promptitude,* so much so, indeed, that General Washington was warranted in calling to the main Army some Massachusetts troops who had been sent lo that vicinity;" and the vessels dropped down and anchored " a little below Ver- "planck's Point," and ceased to make any attempt to effect a landing, anywhere.*

On the twenty-sixth of July, the ships were said to have drop[)ed down the river, still further," probably to the mouth of the Croton-ri ver ; * and it is very evident they fell down to their original station, oft

1 Oeiinral Clinton to General Washiiujtoii, " FoBT Montuoheky, July " 23, 177C."