One-fourth of the entire militia of Westchester, Dutchess, and Orange Counties was called out, and, in view of the emergency, each militiaman taking the field was granted a bounty of twenty dollars ut generous allowance in the circumstances of the time), with continental This whole militia force (Westchester County's ami subsistence. pay contingent being under the command of Colonel Thomas Thomas) was ordered to Peekskill as the strategic point for repelling the expected attack on the Highlands. The convention pledged itself to defray the expenses of any practicable plans for obstructing the navigation of the Hudson and annoying the enemy's ships. Not having sufficient ammunition for the militia, it requested Washington to loan what was needed, promising to replace it at the earliest opportunity. It also advised Washington to use his offices with Governor Trumbull, of Connecticut, for the creation of a cam]) of six thousand men on the Byrani River, in the interest of bringing to confusion any schemes of the British for seizing the country above Kingsbridge.

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

This recommendation was deemed by Washington most excellent, but never bore any fruits. On the 16th of July the " Phcenix " and " Rose," with their tenders, left Tarrytown and sailed up the river to near Verplanck's Point. Finding that their progress into the Highlands would be prevented by the batteries of Forts Constitution and Montgomery, they merely took soundings, received such information as could be got from sympathizers on shore, and landed small parties here and there, which committed a few minor depredations. Returning slowly down the stream, they soon found that some tolerably lively adventures had been prepared for (hem by the alert American commander. At Tarrytown, on the 4th of August, they were boldly engaged by a number of galleys -- the " Washington," kk Lady Washington," kl Spitfire," k Whiting," kk Independence," and " (Vane " -- which Washington had procured from the governors of ( Connecticut and Rhode Island, and dispatched for the purpose of annoying the two warships.