With an abundant naval force under his command, General Howe commanded and controlled all the waters which were near him ; and Gravesend-bay need not have been regarded as the only base which he could have occupied -- he could have turned the flank of any or of all the lines, either of hills or of armed rebels, and have landed his command either in front or on the rear of either of the latter, as he should have determined ; and he could have led his abundantly supplied, admirably disciplined, and thoroughly willing command to an t immediate and effectual success, had not his willing ears listened to those who inclined to Peace, and had not his sympathies controlled his judgment and overcome his sense of duty with the hope that the day of reconciliation -- of reconciliation to be secured through himself -- was not yet passed. He hesitated ; and the golden opportunity passed away, never to be returned.

On the same second of July, and while the Riyal Army was thus occupying Staten Island, the Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, was considering the subject of Independence.

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It will be remembered by the reader that, in 1774, when the County of Westchester was invited, by the Committee of Fifty-one, in the City of New York, to

iCommodure Hotham did not reach New York until the twelfth of August, as will be seen, hereafter.

2 General Howe to Lord George Germain, " Staten Island, 7th July, " 1776."