What the local historian of Westchester-county possibly intended for a description of this daring attempt to destroy the ships, was in these words, taken from his description of the property of the late Elijah Ilich, near Y'onkein: "Here, in 1777, a memorable engagement took " place between the two British frig.ates, the /losc aud the I'ha'nix, which " lay off at anchor, and the gun-boats of the jiatriots which sallied out "of the harbor of Yonkers, having in tow a large tender filled with "combustibles, intending to run it alongside of the frigates. Th(i crews, " however, kept it off, by means of spars ; and a heavy fire of grape and "cannister compelled the gun-boats and their brave crews to seek shelter " in the mouth of the Saw Mill. The year previous," he continued, " General Heath had been requested by the person in command of the " fireships, to be a spectator of the burning of these vessels," quoting.

monstration, so interesting to those of Westchestercounty who lived near the line of the Hudson-river, neither of the great opposing powers, in the City of New York and on Long Island, on the one side, and on and around Staten Island, on the other, did any thing else than to strengthen their respective forces and prepare for the rapidly approaching contest. General Washington continued to strengthen his defences, both in the City of New York and on Long Island ; but the backwardness of the distant States, in sending reinforcements to the Army, not only caused a constant anxiety, at Head-quarters, but an alarm which extended beyond the lines of the Camp.'-'