It is so in all countries under all systems. Those who excite revolutionary movements to overthrow old governments, are always a minority, and usually a very great minority, of the inhabitants of the Country the institutions of which are changed by violence or war. Hence it was that in 1774 the people of Mamaroneck opposed the action of the Committee of Correspondence, set forth in their circular of 29 July 1774 as also did those of Rye.'

When it was known that Gage's Army in Boston was getting short of provisions late in 1775, a sort of killing bee was held at William Sutton's house at de Lancey's Neck, the neighboring farmers drove cattle there and a certain day killed and dressed, and afterward salted down and barrelled as soon as it could be done, beeves enough to load a sloop as a contribution to the besieged troops at Boston. She was loaded at Indian point, near the present home of Mr. James J. Burnet, and sent oft' on her voyage. Butshe never got

1 See Proceedings of Mamaroneck, Ac, in I. Force's Archives.

MAMARONECK.

to Boston. Through some carelessness in running out with a smart breeze, she ran a little too near the enii of a reef in rounding the Scotch Caps, struck a pointed rock, and sank beyond it with all on board. The crew was saved but the beef in the hold was all lost. It is not related that any second attempt was ever made.

The most important Revolutionary incident, was the night battle on Heathcote Hill and the high ridge above it, between the Delaware Regiment, and parts of First and Third Virginia Regiments of Washington's army, under Colonel Haslet and Major Green, and Roberts's Rangers of Howe's Army under Major Rogers, resulting in the repulse of the former with severe loss to the latter who retained their position.