It was said by General Howe, as we have seen, that the purpose was to cut off the supplies, for the City, which were brought down the river ; but he also said, it will be remembered, there were " other good " consequences dependent upon that measure," of the character of which " consequences " he prudently said nothing. If, among those "other good consequences," it was intended to cut off the communication, by water, between New York and Albany and, therefore, between the Army on the northern frontier and the main Army, at the former place, as General Washington suspected,' that would have been a well-devised

* General George Clinton to General Washington, " Fort Montgomery " July 23, 1776."

The sworn statement of Jacob Hallsted, the owner of the property carried away or destroyed, which is a well-told narrative of some of the evils attendant on every War, may be seen in the Historical Manuscripts, etc.: Miscellaneous Papers, xxxv., 77.

6 General Howe to Lord George Germaine, " Staten Island, 8 July, "1776."

6 The direct authority for this statement has been mislaid ; hut a confirmation of it may be seen in General Howe's statement, in his despatch to Lord George Germaine, (" Staten Island, 8 July, 1776,") that no more than the Phoenix and Hose could have been spared, at that tim$ from the protection of the transports, even for the important service in which those two ships were employed.

7 General Washington to John Augustine Washington, " New-Youk, 22 "July, 1776."