But it was not ordered •that the arrangement for the taking of New York, whose successful execution would doubtless have terminated the war, should be carried out. The French fleet sailed up to Sandy Hook. The British naval force in New York Bay at thai time comprised only six ships of the line, four 50-gun ships, and a number of frigates and smaller vessels. D'Estaing, however, was informed by pilots that the depth of water on the Sandy Hook bar was not sufficient to permit the passage of his largest vessels, one of which carried eighty and another ninety guns. He therefore abandoned the enterprise and proceeded to Newport to capture, in

HISTORY

WESTCHESTER

COUNTY

Snllwan, the with an expedition headed by General I his plan also function . there oned stati I5rii.li force of 6,000 which was to engage the 1 ont The British fleet came np the Sound storm dispersed e ortun inopp an but Cnch which went to meet it, afterward went tc .Boston to U eThtT and the French commander rous situation from which dange a in refit leaving General Sullivan lf. The behavior of the himse ating extric in ulty diffic much had he of the alliance excited value cal practi the of test French in this first y. countr the ghout throu t o'reat disgus in September b The departure of the French to Boston was followed for some unYork New in tions prepara British of stir o-reat bv a attack on known obiect. Washington, at White Plains, feared an Point West the of on conditi ary the rlrghhamls, which, in the element eared an equally he but nce; resista for d prepare ill defenses, were In this uncertainty he proceeded as he expedition against Boston. waiting for Howe to unfold his while before year the done had troops at Peekskill and above, the rced He largely re-enfo projects s near West Point, meanbrigade two with Putnam and stationed ester County to a pose Westch from camp own his removing while from where he border, icut Connect the tion farther north on as the result should River, Hudson the to or Boston to move either proved to have Clinton require.