For the prosecution of that purpose, two days after the arrival of the Fleet and the Army, at Sandy Hook, [July 1, 1776,] the former had been moved up to Gravesend-bay, now so universally known to New Yorkers as one of their Summer resorts, in order that the troops might be landed, at daybreak, on the following morning, [July 2, 1776,] and, thence, make the first movement in the Campaign, against the insignificant works and yet more insignificant force which, at that time, were clustered around Brooklyn. 4

1 General Howe's Observations, 45,

2 General Howe's Observations, 50.

3 General Howe to Lord George Germaine, "Staten Island, 7th July, "1776." General Howe's Observations, 50.

* General Washington's means for obtaining intelligence were very defective-- how should it have been otherwise, among those whom the Provincial Congress had soured by the outrages inflicted on them or o:i their neighbors and friends? He was not informed of the arrival of General Howe, until three days after it had occurred ; and then only through information received through a prisoner, whom the Schuyler, armed sloop, had captured.

On the same day on which that intelligence was received by him General Washingion wrote to the Continental Congress : " I could wish " General Howe and his armament not to arrive yet, as not more than "a thousand Militia have come in, and our whole force, including the "troops at all the detached posts and on board the armed vessels, "which are comprehended in our Returns, is but small and inconsidor- " able when compared with the extensive lines they are to defend and, "most probably, the Army that he brings. I have no further intelli- "gence about him than what the Lieutenant" \Davkon, of the armed "sloop Schuyler] "mentions: but it is extremely probable his accounts "and conjectures are true," (General Washington to the President ofthe