5 As the ships were anchored off Nyack as well as off Tarrytown, those Tillages being exactly opposite, the former on the western and the latter on the eastern bank of the river, and as two boats" crews had made an attempt to go ashore, at Nyack, on the preceding Sunday, it will be seen why the Colonel mentioned Nyack, especially, in his despatch to the Committee of Safety.

I' The shore-line thus described includes the entire western bank of that portion of the Hudson-river which is known as Haverstraw Bay, extending from a short distance above Nyack to within a short distance from the southernmost entrance into tlie Highlands.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, 1774-1783.

" summoned. Many reasons are assigned for this " desertion of the service, such as, that the troops last " raised were, by the Convention, expressly levied for "the purpose of protecting the shore; that this in- " duced many of their people to enlist, but they have " been drawn off from the immediate defence of their " wives, children, and property, to guard the eastern " shore of the river, contrary to their expectations. " Others declare that if they leave their business, " their families must starve, as they have all their " Corn and Buckwheat to secure, and have been so "called off, during the Summer, by the public "troubles, as not to have been able to put in the "ground, any Winter Grain, and would, therefore, as " leave die by the sword as by famine. A third set, " and the most numerous, declare that the Congress " have rejected all overtures for a reconciliation, in- " consistent with Independency; that all they desire "is peace, liberty, and safety; and that if they can "procure that, they are contented." '