• General Howe to Lord George Germaine, "Staten Island, 7 July, (i 1776 . n [H a ll' B ] History of the Civil War in America, i , 175 ; Gordon's History of the American Revolution, Ed. London, 1788, ii., 278 ; etc.

10 General Howe to Lord George Germaine, "Staten Island, 7 July, " 1776 ; " General Howe's Observations upon apamphlet entitled Letters to a Nobleman, Ed. London, 1780, 50; London Gazette, " Adbiikalty Office, "August 10, 1776;" Governor TryontoLord George Germaine "Duchess "of Gobdon, off Staten Island, July 8, 1776 ;" John Adams to Mrs. 1 Adams, " Philadelphia, 11 July, 1776."

WESTCHESTER COUNTY.

guns, and three tenders, "taking advantage of the " tide and a fresh breeze," left Staten Island, and passed the City, receiving the fire of the American batteries on the Bed Hook, Governor's Island, Powle's Hook, and along the line of the Hudson-river, within the City, without sustaining any material damage, and returning a fire which was equally harmless. 1 They anchored off Tarrytown, during the early evening ; * but, if their errand was to encourage the farmers on the Philipse Manor to declare themselves favorably inclined to the King, their officers must have been sadly disappointed, since Lieutenant Daniel Martling, with whom the reader is already acquainted, on the first appearance of the approaching vessels, promptly ordered his command to turn out, to oppose any attempt which might be made to effect a landing ; and, during the night, under the personal direction of Lieutenant-colonel Hammond, who lived in the vicinity, cartridges were distributed, and the inhabitants of the village and neighboring farms were collected, in order that an effective resistance should be made. 3 Fresh supplies of ammunition were sent, by the Convention, then in session at the White Plains ; and measures were taken for reinforcing the inhabitants ; * but, although it is said the ships were visited by one or two periaugas, 5 they appeared, while they remained off Tarrytown, to have been sent for no other purpose than to take soundings, 6 although there is little doubt that they also cut off the supplies, as well as the communication between the main Army and that on the northern frontier, 7 and availed themselves of the darkness of night to open communications with those of the neighboring inhabitants of Westchester and Orange-counties, who were supposed to have been friendly to the Koyal cause.